'Hereditary' definitions:

Definition of 'hereditary'

From: WordNet
adjective
Occurring among members of a family usually by heredity; "an inherited disease"; "familial traits"; "genetically transmitted features" [syn: familial, genetic, hereditary, inherited, transmitted, transmissible]
adjective
Inherited or inheritable by established rules (usually legal rules) of descent; "ancestral home"; "ancestral lore"; "hereditary monarchy"; "patrimonial estate"; "transmissible tradition" [syn: ancestral, hereditary, patrimonial, transmissible]

Definition of 'Hereditary'

From: GCIDE
  • Hereditary \He*red"i*ta*ry\, a. [L. hereditarius, fr. hereditas heirship, inheritance, fr. heres heir: cf. F. h['e]r['e]ditaire. See Heir.]
  • 1. Descended, or capable of descending, from an ancestor to an heir at law; received or passing by inheritance, or that must pass by inheritance; as, an hereditary estate or crown. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Transmitted, or capable of being transmitted, as a constitutional quality or condition from a parent to a child; as, hereditary pride, bravery, disease.
  • Syn: Ancestral; patrimonial; inheritable. [1913 Webster]