Understanding its meaning, usage, and linguistic role
While “inheritor” is primarily a noun (meaning a person who inherits something), it is rarely used as an adjective in modern English. However, in literary or archaic contexts, you might encounter phrases like “inheritor rights” or “inheritor status,” where it functions adjectivally to describe something related to an inheritor.
More commonly, the adjective form would be derived from the verb “inherit,” such as inherited (e.g., “inherited traits”).
When describing something passed down or received by inheritance, consider these alternatives:
Prefer “inherited” over “inheritor” when modifying nouns:
Reserve “inheritor” for when referring to the person who receives the inheritance.
The word “inheritor” comes from Middle English enheritour, from Old French enheriter, ultimately from Latin hereditare (“to inherit”), rooted in heres (“heir”).