heirloom means A valued possession that has been passed down through the generations. Lexicurio rates it Rare gem — a strength score of 72 out of 100.
heirloom is pronounced /ˈɛə.luːm/.
Why “heirloom” is a great word
HEIRLOOM — [Noun] A valuable possession passed down through successive generations of a family. From Middle English *heirlome*, a compound of *heir* (one who inherits) and *loom* (in its original sense of 'tool or implement'). Unlike an "antique," which primarily denotes an object's age and collectible value, or an "inheritance," which refers broadly to any assets received, an heirloom is a singular, storied vessel for continuity. It is the silver watch whose case has been worn smooth by four grandfathers' thumbs, the stubborn, ancestral flavor of a tomato grown from saved seeds, or the frayed edge of a quilt that has warmed three centuries of sleep—a tangible covenant between the dead and the unborn, a testament that we are temporary custodians, not owners, of the past.
noun
- A valued possession that has been passed down through the generations.“Morning rehearsal starts at eleven. Wheeler takes a taxi from the hotel to the venue, bringing his tuxedo and his violin with him. His violin is an heirloom, more than a hundred years old, and while he's touring it never leaves his sight. (His tuxedo is just a tuxedo.)”
- An old crop variety that has been passed down through generations of farmers by seed saving and cultivation, in contrast to modern cultivars used in large-scale agriculture.“My last trip to the market barely yielded enough unmealy heirlooms for a couple of salads.”