heredity
noun
[ hɪˈrɛdɪti ]
• the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
• "the relative influence of heredity and environment"
• the inheritance of a title, office, or right.
• "a second chamber whose membership is largely based on heredity"
Origin:
late 18th century: from French hérédité, from Latin hereditas ‘heirship’, from heres, hered- ‘heir’.
