Found 2 items, similar to Heir apparent.
English → English (WordNet)
Definition: heir apparent
heir apparent
n : an heir whose right to an inheritance cannot be defeated if
that person outlives the ancestor [ant:
heir presumptive]
English → English (gcide)
Definition: Heir apparent
Apparent
\Ap*par"ent\, a. [F. apparent, L. apparens, -entis, p.
pr. of apparere. See
Appear.]
1. Capable of being seen, or easily seen; open to view;
visible to the eye; within sight or view.
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The moon . . . apparent queen. --Milton.
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2. Clear or manifest to the understanding; plain; evident;
obvious; known; palpable; indubitable.
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It is apparent foul play. --Shak.
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3. Appearing to the eye or mind (distinguished from, but not
necessarily opposed to, true or real); seeming; as the
apparent motion or diameter of the sun.
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To live on terms of civility, and even of apparent
friendship. --Macaulay.
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What Berkeley calls visible magnitude was by
astronomers called apparent magnitude. --Reid.
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Apparent horizon, the circle which in a level plain bounds
our view, and is formed by the apparent meeting of the
earth and heavens, as distinguished from the rational
horizon.
Apparent time. See
Time.
Heir apparent (Law), one whose to an estate is indefeasible
if he survives the ancestor; -- in distinction from
presumptive heir. See
Presumptive.
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Syn: Visible; distinct; plain; obvious; clear; certain;
evident; manifest; indubitable; notorious.
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Heir
\Heir\ ([^a]r), n. [OE. heir, eir, hair, OF. heir, eir, F.
hoir, L. heres; of uncertain origin. Cf.
Hereditary,
Heritage.]
1. One who inherits, or is entitled to succeed to the
possession of, any property after the death of its owner;
one on whom the law bestows the title or property of
another at the death of the latter.
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I am my father's heir and only son. --Shak.
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2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or
relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues.
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And I his heir in misery alone. --Pope.
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Heir apparent. (Law.) See under
Apparent.
Heir at law, one who, after his ancector's death, has a
right to inherit all his intestate estate. --Wharton (Law
Dict.).
Heir presumptive, one who, if the ancestor should die
immediately, would be his heir, but whose right to the
inheritance may be defeated by the birth of a nearer
relative, or by some other contingency.
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