disherit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ArchaicArchaic, Legal (historical), Literary
Quick answer
What does “disherit” mean?
To disinherit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To disinherit; to prevent someone from inheriting property or rights.
To deprive someone of a rightful inheritance or a position of status, authority, or privilege they were expected to receive. In broader literary or historical contexts, it can mean to cut off from one's lineage or heritage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally obsolete in both varieties. Slight preference for historical/Shakespearean context in UK reference materials.
Connotations
Evokes medieval or early modern legal contexts, feudal rights, and dynastic struggles.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern usage. 'Disinherit' is the standard term in contemporary legal and general language.
Grammar
How to Use “disherit” in a Sentence
SVO: The king disherited his rebellious son.SVO+A(for): He was disherited for his treason.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disherit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The feudal lord could disherit a vassal for disloyalty.
- Shakespeare's King Lear threatens to disherit Cordelia.
American English
- The old charter allowed a father to disherit his son.
- They sought to disherit him from his ancestral lands.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical, literary, or legal history studies.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Obsolete in modern law; superseded by 'disinherit'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disherit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disherit”
- Misspelling as 'dishinherit' or 'disherrit'. Using it in modern contexts instead of 'disinherit'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic term. The modern word is 'disinherit'.
Primarily in historical texts, legal documents from pre-modern periods, and works of literature set in or written during medieval or Renaissance times (e.g., Shakespeare).
There is no difference in meaning. 'Disherit' is the older, now obsolete form, while 'disinherit' is the modern standard spelling and pronunciation.
In its historical usage, it was primarily a legal term concerning inheritance. Any figurative use would also be archaic, such as 'disherited from his cultural heritage' in a literary style.
To disinherit.
Disherit is usually archaic, legal (historical), literary in register.
Disherit: in British English it is pronounced /dɪsˈhɛrɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪsˈhɛrɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No modern idioms; historical: 'to disherit one's blood']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS-inHERIT. The 'herit' is from 'heritage'—to take someone out of the heritage line.
Conceptual Metaphor
INHERITANCE IS A LINE; TO DISHERIT IS TO CUT THE LINE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MODERN, standard equivalent of the archaic verb 'disherit'?