Hereditable is a spelling variation of heritable, which means capable of being inherited. Its IPA transcription is /həˈrɛdɪtəbəl/. The word is broken down into syllables as her-ed-it-a-ble, with the primary stress on the second syllable. The 'h' is pronounced softly, and the 'e' at the beginning is pronounced as the schwa sound. The pronunciation of the last syllable 'ble' is /bəl/. The spelling variant might be confusing, but its meaning remains the same.
Hereditable refers to traits, characteristics, or conditions that can be passed on from one generation to another by means of genetic inheritance. It is derived from the word "heritable," which means capable of being inherited or handed down.
In the context of genetics, hereditable refers to the ability of certain traits or conditions to be transmitted from parents to their offspring through DNA. These heritable traits can manifest in physical attributes, such as eye color, hair texture, or height, as well as in certain medical or genetic conditions, including inherited diseases or predispositions to certain disorders.
The hereditability of a trait or condition is determined by various factors, including the presence or absence of specific genes or alleles within an individual's genetic code. While some traits may be strictly heredity-based, others can be influenced by a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors.
The study of hereditability is crucial in fields such as genetics, evolutionary biology, and medicine. Understanding which traits or conditions are hereditable can help scientists and researchers in studying patterns of inheritance, developing interventions or treatments for genetic disorders, and predicting potential health risks in individuals based on their genetic makeup.
Overall, the term "hereditable" signifies the ability of traits or conditions to be transmitted across generations through genetic inheritance.
That may be inherited.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "hereditable" is derived from the Latin word "hereditabilis", which means "inheritable" or "subject to inheritance". It comes from the Latin verb "hereditare", meaning "to inherit", which itself is derived from "heres", meaning "heir" or "successor". The term "hereditable" has been adopted into English, retaining its meaning related to the transmission of genetic traits from parents to offspring.