heir presumptive


noun, plural heirs presumptive.

a person who is expected to be the heir but whose expectations may be canceled by the birth of a nearer heir.

Origin of heir presumptive

First recorded in 1620–30

Words nearby heir presumptive

Example sentences from the Web for heir presumptive

British Dictionary definitions for heir presumptive

heir presumptive

noun

property law a person who expects to succeed to an estate but whose right may be defeated by the birth of one nearer in blood to the ancestor Compare heir apparent