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heirloom

noun

/ˈɛːluːm/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of heirloom

An item of personal property that has been passed down through generations of a family, often with sentimental or historical value.
"The music box was a family heirloom passed down from her grandmother."

Detailed meaning of heirloom

Heirlooms are typically considered to be of great importance and are treasured by the family members who inherit them. They can include a wide variety of items such as furniture, jewelry, clothing, books, letters, photographs, and keepsakes. They are often passed down from parents to children, grandparents to grandchildren, and so on. Heirlooms can be a valuable source of family history, and they are often used to tell the story of the family's past and to connect members of the family to their ancestors. In some cases, heirlooms can also hold a significant value in terms of monetary or historical value. In general, an heirloom refers to an item of personal property that has been passed down through generations of a family, often with sentimental or historical value, and it's considered to be of great importance and treasured by family members.

Example sentences containing heirloom

1. An antique clock, a cherished family heirloom, adorns the mantel.
2. She wears her grandmother's heirloom necklace with grace.
3. A vintage quilt, treasured as a family heirloom, warms beds.
4. The heirloom recipe book safeguards culinary traditions.
5. A century-old piano, a family heirloom, fills the house with music.
6. An heirloom ring, dating to the 1800s, symbolizes enduring love.

History and etymology of heirloom

The noun 'heirloom' has a rich etymology that combines two Old English words. 'Heir' comes from the Old English 'ǣr,' meaning 'before' or 'early,' while 'lōma' stems from 'lēoma,' which means 'a tool' or 'an article.' When merged, 'ǣr' and 'lōma' formed 'ǣrlōma,' referring to a valuable item or piece of property passed down from one generation to the next. Over time, this term evolved into 'heirloom.' The word 'heirloom' encompasses not only the idea of an item with monetary or practical value but also sentimental or historical significance, often cherished as a precious part of a family's heritage. In this way, the etymology of 'heirloom' reflects its dual role as a tangible link between generations and a repository of personal or historical value.

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Further usage examples of heirloom

1. The heirloom garden thrives with plants nurtured for decades.
2. A wedding dress, an heirloom, passed from mother to daughter.
3. Antique furniture, a living room heirloom, evokes nostalgia.
4. Heirloom china graces holiday tables, linking generations.
5. An ancient tome, an academic heirloom, contains wisdom.
6. An heirloom painting, a masterpiece, adorns the gallery.
7. An heirloom pocket watch, a gift, keeps time with history.
8. Antique cars, cherished heirlooms, gleam in the garage.
9. A heirloom ring, priceless in sentiment, binds hearts.
10. The family clock, an heirloom, chimes with nostalgia.
11. A quilt, an heirloom, tells stories stitched through time.
12. She inherited her grandmother's heirloom necklace.
13. Their heirloom recipe book holds generations of culinary secrets.
14. The vintage piano has been an heirloom for over a century.
15. He proudly wears the heirloom watch from his grandfather.
16. The heirloom ring has a history dating back to the 1800s.
17. The heirloom garden thrives with plants passed down for decades.
18. Her wedding dress became an heirloom for her daughter.
19. The family's antique furniture is a living room heirloom.
20. The heirloom china has graced holiday tables for generations.
21. The ancient tome is an academic heirloom of great significance.
22. The heirloom painting is a masterpiece by a famous artist.
23. The heirloom pocket watch was a gift from a distant relative.
24. The antique car has been an heirloom for car enthusiasts.
25. The heirloom violin has produced beautiful music for decades.
26. The heirloom ring holds sentimental value beyond measure.
27. The family heirloom clock chimes the hours with nostalgia.
28. Their heirloom quilt tells the story of generations past.