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. [1913 Webster] The moon . . . apparent queen. --Milton. [1913 Webster] 2. Clear or manifest to the understanding; plain; evident; obvious; known; palpable; indubitable. [1913 Webster] It is apparent foul play. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] To live on terms of civility, and even of apparent friendship. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster] What Berkeley calls visible magnitude was by astronomers called apparent magnitude. --Reid. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] Syn: Visible; distinct; plain; obvious; clear; certain; evident; manifest; indubitable; notorious. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster] I am my father's heir and only son. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the heir of one's reputation or virtues. [1913 Webster] And I his heir in misery alone. --Pope. [1913 Webster] 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. [1913 Webster]