heirlooms
|heir/looms|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈɛrˌlumz/
🇬🇧
/ˈeəˌluːmz/
(heirloom)
family treasure
Etymology
Etymology Information
'heirloom' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'heir' meaning 'one who inherits' and 'loom' meaning 'tool or implement'.
Historical Evolution
'heirloom' changed from the Middle English word 'heir lome' and eventually became the modern English word 'heirloom'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a tool or implement inherited by an heir', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a valuable object passed down through generations'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.
The necklace is a family heirloom passed down from my grandmother.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/25 05:03