heir presumptive

== English == === Etymology === A calque of French héritier présomptif, hence the unusual order of adjective following noun. === Noun === heir presumptive (plural heirs presumptive) Someone who will become an heir (usually to a monarchy) only if no-one with a higher-ranking claim is born. Coordinate term: heiress presumptive ==== Antonyms ==== heir apparent ==== Translations ====