heredity

[/həˈrɛdɪti/]
nounfemininepl: hereditys or N/A
hereditariedade
1. the passing of genetic traits and characteristics from parents to offspring through genes
Eye color is determined by heredity.
A cor dos olhos é determinada pela hereditariedade.
2. the genetic information or traits inherited from ancestors
She has a strong heredity of musical talent in her family.
Ela tem uma forte hereditariedade de talento musical em sua família.
3. the transmission of characteristics from generation to generation
The study of heredity is essential to understanding evolution.
O estudo da hereditariedade é essencial para compreender a evolução.
In both Brazilian and American contexts, 'heredity' is primarily used in scientific, medical, and educational discussions. It's a formal term that gained prominence with the rise of genetics and modern biology. In Brazil, discussions of heredity often relate to family health histories and genetic predispositions in medical settings. The concept is fundamental to understanding both nature vs. nurture debates in psychology and education across both cultures.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
inheritancegeneticsgenetic transmissionhereditary traits
Antonyms / Antônimos
environmentnurtureacquired characteristics

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
hereditariedade
most common and formal term in medical and scientific contexts
Rio de Janeiro
hereditariedade
standard usage, sometimes informally called 'herança genética'
São Paulo
hereditariedade
standard scientific and medical usage
Portugal
hereditariedade
identical usage to Brazilian Portuguese in formal contexts

Related Words

hereditarygenegeneticDNAchromosomeinheritanceoffspringtrait

Related Idioms & Phrases

it runs in the family
passed down through generations
inherited trait
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