hereditary
huh-RED-ih-tair-ee
/həˈredɪteri/
Conferred by or based on inheritance; determined by genetic transmission from parent to offspring.
Emphasizes the passing of traits, conditions, or titles down family lineages across generations.
The story behind the word. Traces back to Latin 'hereditarius' (inherited), from 'heres' (heir). Originally a legal term for passing titles and estates to direct heirs, 19th-century biologists adapted it for biological trait passage.
Word relationships
- inherited: Inherited describes specific traits received from parents, while hereditary describes the general property or rule of genetic transmission.
- transmissible: Transmissible often refers to infectious diseases spread between individuals, whereas hereditary refers strictly to parent-to-offspring lineage.
- acquired: Acquired traits or conditions develop during a lifetime due to environment or lifestyle, rather than genetics.
Commonly confused with
- congenital: Hereditary means transmitted through genetic inheritance; congenital means present at birth regardless of cause.
Word family
- heredity (noun): The passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another
Collocations
- hereditary disease
- hereditary factor
- hereditary monarchy
- hereditary trait
Example sentences
- "The physician inquired whether there was any history of hereditary heart conditions in her family." Clinical history taking
- "In monarchies, power is held through hereditary succession rather than democratic election." Historical literature citation
Memory hook
HEREDITARY = HEIR-editary; passing traits down to your biological heirs. Passed down to biological heirs
When not to use
Do not confuse hereditary with 'congenital'. A hereditary condition is passed via genes; a congenital condition is present at birth but may be due to environmental factors in the womb.
Fun facts
- Gregor Mendel laid the foundation for understanding hereditary traits using simple pea plants in his monastery garden.
- Color blindness is a X-linked hereditary condition far more common in males than females.
Related words
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