heir apparent

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English heier apparaunt, a calque translation of Middle French héritier apparent, hence the unusual order of adjective following noun. === Pronunciation === === Noun === heir apparent (plural heirs apparent or heir apparents) (usually monarchy) Someone who will definitely inherit if surviving the one whose property is to be inherited. Coordinate term: heiress apparent ==== Antonyms ==== heir presumptive ==== Translations ====