Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
HEIR
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French eir, heir, from Latin hered-, heres; akin to Greek chēros bereaved
Date: 13th century
one who inherits or is entitled to inherit property, one who inherits or is entitled to succeed to a hereditary rank, title, or office , one who receives or is entitled to receive some endowment or quality from a parent or predecessor, heirless adjective heirship noun
II. transitive verb
Date: 14th century
inherit