1530s, from Middle French hérédité (12c.), from Latin hereditatem (nominative hereditas) "heirship, inheritance, condition of being an heir," from heres (genitive heredis) "heir, heiress," from PIE root *ghe- "to be empty, left behind" (source also of Greek khera "widow"). Legal sense of "inheritable quality or character" first recorded 1784; the modern biological sense seems to be found first in 1863, introduced by Herbert Spencer.
实用例句
1. the debate over the effects of heredity and environment
有关遗传与环境影响的辩论来自《权威词典》
2. Radiation has a strong effect on the heredity of fruit flies.
射线对于果蝇的遗传产生强烈的作用.来自《简明英汉词典》
3. Do heredity and environment determine a man's character?
遗传和环境决定一个人的性格 吗 ?来自《简明英汉词典》
4. Some diseases are present by heredity.
有些病是遗传的结果.来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
5. Diet and exercise can influence a person's weight, but heredity is also a factor.
