su·us he·res \ˌsüəsˈhāˌrās\noun (pluralsui here·des \ˈsüēhāˈrāˌdās\) Etymology: Latin, literally, own heir 1.Roman law: an heir (as a wife, son, daughter or slave) under the paternal power of the decedent at the latter's death 2.Roman law: an heir in the family of the decedent at his death who becomes sui juris on succeeding to the decedent's property