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.
双语例句
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.