heredity rigandâšt Fr.: hérédité The passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another (OxfordDictionaries.com). M.E., from M.Fr. hérédité, from O.Fr. eredite "inheritance, legacy," from L. hereditatem (nominative hereditas) "heirship, inheritance," → heritage. Rigandâšt, literally "possessing heritage," from rigan, → heritage, + dâšt past stem of dâštan "to have, hold, possess, maintain," → property. |