héritière

Héritière is the feminine form of héritier and refers to a female heir in French. It designates a person who is entitled to a share of an estate or to succession of a title upon the death of an ancestor, parent, or holder of property. An héritière may be a daughter, granddaughter, or any female relative recognized by law or by a will as a rightful successor. The term is common in legal, genealogical, and historical contexts.

Etymology: The word comes from Old French héritier, from Latin heres “heir.” The feminine form héritière is created by the standard French gendering of nouns with the suffix -ière.

Usage: In formal and legal writing, héritière specifies the female participant in succession. The masculine form héritier exists for male heirs. In contemporary French, both forms are used as needed, and gender-inclusive language may prefer using the masculine as a generic form or explicitly state the gender.

Cultural notes: The concept appears in literature and history when describing dynastic succession, property transmission, or legacies. Related terms include héritage (inheritance, legacy) and hérédité (heredity).