heritage
/ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ
/noun [in singular]
1Property that is or may be inherited; an inheritance: they had stolen his grandfather’s heritage...
- For the pluralistic West, universal access to heritage is an individual right.
- Brothers, sisters and their children will pay a tax of 0.7 per cent of a heritage portion of over 250,000 leva worth.
Synonyms
inheritance, birthright, patrimony;
legacy, bequest, endowment, estate, bequeathal;
Law devise, hereditament
1.1Valued objects and qualities such as historic buildings and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations: Europe’s varied cultural heritage [mass noun]: the estuary has a sense of history and heritage...
- History is necessary to instil patriotism and pride in the younger generation about the cultural heritage, values systems and religions, she says.
- The ruins evoke the nation's Indian past and legitimizes both Peru's historical heritage and cultural tradition.
- In addition, this model helps non-Asian readers to understand and value the cultural heritage of others.
Synonyms
tradition, history, background, culture, customs, past
1.2 [as modifier] Denoting or relating to things of special architectural, historical, or natural value that are preserved for the nation: a heritage centre 60 miles of heritage coastline...
- The total value of this architectural heritage project is £60,000 and this work is being carried out by the Office of Public Works.
- Singapore as a city has set a fine example as to how one can use and restore architectural gems and heritage buildings that have done their time.
- Gan Xi's house and several others on the same street are now preserved as heritage buildings and house a folk arts museum.
1.3 [as modifier] Denoting a traditional brand or product regarded as emblematic of fine craftsmanship: heritage brands have found a growing cachet among younger customers...
- Quarried stone is used mainly for the production of roof tiles and other heritage products rather than garden rockery stone or sand and gravel.
- His commercial passion and specialist knowledge lies in reviving and growing heritage brands.
- Aertex is one of the last classic British heritage brands to be rediscovered and given a fresh lick of love.
1.4 [as modifier] Denoting a breed of livestock or poultry that was once traditional to an area but is no longer farmed in large numbers: Cotswold sheep are considered a heritage breed in Canada
1.5 [as modifier] North American (Of a plant variety) not hybridized with another; old-fashioned: heritage roses...
- Some of those old heritage varieties can still be found in seed catalogs.
- Hear about heritage varieties of apples and then taste the different types.
- I've bought some turnip seeds (some rare heritage variety, natch…) and intend to grow turnips until they're coming out of my ears.
2 archaic A special or individual possession; an allotted portion: God’s love remains your heritage...
- This is your heritage as a baptized Christian, and it is something the Father longs to do for you.
3 archaic God’s chosen people (the people of Israel, or the Christian Church).
Origin
Middle English: from Old French heritage, from heriter 'inherit' (see heritable).
- untowardly
- untowardness
- untraceable
- untraceably
- untraced
- untracked
- untraditional
- untrainable
- untrained
- untrammeled
- untrammelled
- untransferable
- untransformed
- untranslatability
- untranslatable
- untranslatably
- untranslated
- untraveled
- untravelled
- untraversable
- untreatable
- untreated
- untrendy
- untried
- untrimmed