hereditary
huh-RED-ih-tair-eeadjMeaning passed down from parents to children
Memory hook HEIR-editary: passed DOWN to the HEIR. Nell, her son Pip and baby Rory all have the same bright red hair, handed down from parent to child: it is hereditary.
In the old kingdom, the title of duke was hereditary, passing from parent to eldest child.
In context The family’s bright red hair is hereditary: Grandma had it, Mom has it, and now baby Rory has it too.
Similar inherited, genetic, passed down
Opposite acquired
From Latin hereditarius, from hereditas (inheritance), from heres (heir).