birthright

/'bə:θrait/

Thân thiện

Every child has the birthright to a free public education.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An inherent right or privilege possessed by a person from birth: A birthright is something to which a person is entitled simply by being born, often into a specific family, nation, or social condition.
   • A personal characteristic or inheritance received at birth: This can refer to genetic traits or a legacy (such as property or a title) that is passed down, traditionally by right of primogeniture (the right of the firstborn son).

Usage

• The term is used to describe rights considered fundamental and inalienable due to one's birth circumstances.
• It often carries a formal or legal connotation when referring to inherited entitlements.
• It can be used in both literal contexts (e.g., inheriting land) and figurative contexts (e.g., claiming freedom as a natural right).

Examples

• Literal inheritance:
• Figurative right:
• Combined meaning:

Advanced Usage

• "to sell one's birthright": This phrase, often used figuratively, means to give up something of fundamental or long-term value for an immediate but lesser gain. It originates from the biblical story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a meal.
  • In accepting the quick cash payout, critics said the company had sold its birthright for future innovation.

Variants and Related Words

• Inheritance (n): Property or a title received from an ancestor.
• Heritage (n): Valued traditions, properties, or characteristics passed down through generations.
• Primogeniture (n): The right of the firstborn son to inherit the family estate.

Synonyms

• Entitlement: A right to a particular privilege or benefit.
• Patrimony: Property inherited from one's father or ancestor; heritage.
• Legacy: Something handed down from a predecessor.

Idioms and Phrases

• "To sell one's birthright for a mess of pottage": An idiom meaning to trade something of lasting value for a momentary pleasure or small gain.
  • He regretted his decision, feeling he had sold his birthright for a mess of pottage when he left the family business.

Học thuật

Noun

1. personal characteristics that are inherited at birth
2. an inheritance coming by right of birth (especially by primogeniture)
3. a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth
   • free public education is the birthright of every American child

Từ đồng nghĩa

• patrimony