hereditary
passed from parents through genes
Describing a disease or trait that you get from your parents through your genes, not from your lifestyle or the environment.
hereditary [disease/condition/trait]; [something] is hereditary
- The doctor explained that the disorder is hereditary and may affect several members of the same family.
- Researchers are looking for the hereditary factors that increase the risk of heart disease.
- Because the condition is hereditary, her children will be offered genetic testing.
- Not all cancers are hereditary; many are caused by lifestyle and environmental factors.
- Asthma can have a hereditary component but is also influenced by where you live.
- This disease is hereditary, so it runs in the family.
- Baldness can be hereditary in some families.
- My doctor said my high cholesterol is partly hereditary.
- Scientists study hereditary traits like eye color and blood type.
inherited as a title or position
Describing a title, job, or power that goes from parent to child in the same family instead of being chosen by vote or appointment.
hereditary [title/monarchy/peer]; [position/title] is hereditary
- In a hereditary monarchy, the throne is passed from parent to child rather than being elected.
- He holds a hereditary title that has been in his family for centuries.
- The reformers argued that hereditary privilege had no place in a modern democracy.
- Several members of the upper house were hereditary peers until the law was changed.
- The country was long ruled by a hereditary elite that controlled land and wealth.
- In a hereditary monarchy, the king’s child becomes the next ruler.
- He has a hereditary title because his father was a lord.
- Many people think hereditary power is unfair.
- Some countries still have hereditary rulers today.
- Base: hereditary
hereditary cancer
1cancer risk passed in families
Cancer that is more likely to happen in a family because of gene changes that are passed from parent to child.
- Women with certain gene mutations have a higher risk of hereditary cancer.
- Hereditary cancer syndromes can often be detected through genetic testing.
hereditary condition
1health condition passed through genes
A long-term health problem that is passed from parents to children through their genes.
- If you have a hereditary condition, your close relatives may also need to be tested.
- The insurance form asks if you have any hereditary conditions.
hereditary disease
1disease passed down in families
A disease that a person gets through their genes from their parents, not from infection or lifestyle.
- The clinic specializes in treating hereditary diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
- Genetic counseling can help families understand their risk of hereditary diseases.
hereditary disorder
1disorder passed from parents by genes
A medical problem that a person is born with because it is passed to them in their genes.
- The study focuses on rare hereditary disorders in children.
- Screening at birth can help identify certain hereditary disorders early.
hereditary peer
1noble legislator with inherited seat
In the UK, a noble who has a seat in the upper house of Parliament because it passes down in the family.
- Reforms greatly reduced the number of hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
- He became a hereditary peer after the death of his father, a long-serving lord.
hereditary title
1noble rank passed in a family
A rank or special name, like duke or lord, that goes from parent to child in the same family.
- He inherited a hereditary title when his grandfather died.
- Many hereditary titles no longer carry political power but still have social status.
hereditary monarchy
1system where the crown is inherited
A system of government where the king or queen’s child usually becomes the next ruler.
- The country changed from a hereditary monarchy to a republic in the twentieth century.
- In a hereditary monarchy, the line of succession is carefully defined by law.
hereditary monarchy
2monarchy inherited within a family
A monarchy where the job of king or queen is usually given to a child or close family member of the last monarch.
- Most European royal families are part of a hereditary monarchy system.
- In a hereditary monarchy, the oldest child is often first in line to become the next ruler.