Shak.
2. One who receives any endowment from an ancestor or relation; as, the
heir of one's reputation or virtues.
And I his heir in misery alone.
Pope.
Heir apparent. (Law.) See under Apparent. -- Heir at law, one who,
after his ancector's death, has a right to inherit all his intestate
estate. Wharton (Law Dict.). -- Heir presumptive, one who, if the
ancestor should die immediately, would be his heir, but whose right to
the inheritance may be defeated by the birth of a nearer relative, or
by some other contingency.