heredity

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he·red·i·ty / həˈreditē/ • n. 1. the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another: few scientists dispute that heredity can create a susceptibility to alcoholism. ∎  a person's ancestry: he wears a Cossack tunic to emphasize his Russian heredity.2. inheritance of title, office, or right: membership is largely based on heredity.

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