damnosa hereditas

noun

dam·​no·​sa he·​re·​di·​tas
variants or damnosa haereditas
dam¦nōsəhəˈredə̇ˌtas
1
Roman law : an inheritance from a person who dies insolvent and whose debts the heir is bound to discharge
2
: a harmful or burdensome inheritance
a damnosa hereditas from an imperfectly socialized … conditionTimes Literary Supplement

Word History

Etymology

Latin, literally, damaging inheritance

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Cite this Entry

“Damnosa hereditas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/damnosa%20hereditas. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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