heirloom
pronunciation
How to pronounce heirloom in British English:
UK [ˈeəlu:m]
How to pronounce heirloom in American English:
US [ˈerlum]
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- Noun:
- (law) any property that is considered by law or custom as inseparable from an inheritance is inherited with that inheritance
- something that has been in a family for generations
Word Origin
- heirloom (n.)
- early 15c., ayre lome, a hybrid from heir + loom in its original but now otherwise obsolete sense of "implement, tool." Technically, some piece of property that by will or custom passes down with the real estate.
Example
- 1. Because the world 's problems shouldn 't be the human family 's heirloom .
- 2. Beautifully made items with an enduring heirloom aura don 't generally appeal to me .
- 3. The five kinds of heirloom tomatoes on joanna lehrman 's and roxanne adair 's farm look delicious .
- 4. A california-based garden retailer , tomatofest garden seeds , has predicted what will be the year 's most popular heirloom tomato varieties with its annual top 10 list .
- 5. I can preserve his inspiring legacy more powerfully through writing than through the hummingbird pendant I wear around my neck to honor his homeland of trinidad , or a picture or heirloom .