he·re·di·tas noun alsohae·re·di·tas\hə̇ˈredəˌtas\ (pluralhereditates \ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈtād.(ˌ)ēz\) Etymology: Latin Roman & civil law: inheritance or succession : the rights and liabilities to which an heir succeeds : an estate of a deceased person regarded as a juridical person