Question

Choose the word which can be substituted for the given phrase/sentence.
Property inherited from one’s father or ancestors
a) Alimony
b) Patrimony
c) Legacy
d) Inheritance

Answer 1

Hint: The given description can be summarised by another synonym given in the options. This synonym should help you find the word that is the replacement for the given phrase.

Complete answer:
 In grammar, a substitute is used as a noun to refer to a word that serves as a particular kind of replacement. When one word replaces an entire phrase and still retains the original meaning, it is called a ‘substitute noun’. For example, the phrase ‘one who lives for the pleasure of eating and drinking’ can be summarised by the word ‘epicure’.
The only way to identify them correctly is to memorize them or use etymology to guess them as accurately as possible.

Now, we know the meaning of the given phrase. Let’s look at the given options:

a. alimony - The word ‘alimony’ refers to ‘a husband's (or wife's) provision for a spouse after separation or divorce; maintenance’. This word does not have the exact same meaning as the given phrase. It does not mean the same thing. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
b. patrimony - The word ‘patrimony’ refers to ‘property inherited from one's father or male ancestor’. This word has the exact same meaning as the given phrase. It means the same thing. This is the required answer. So, this is the correct option.
c. legacy - The word ‘legacy’ refers to ‘an amount of money or property left to someone in a will'. This word does not have the exact same meaning as the given phrase. It does not mean the same thing. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.
d. inheritance - The word ‘inheritance’ refers to ‘a thing that is inherited’. This word does not have the exact same meaning as the given phrase. It does not mean the same thing. This is not the required answer. So, this is an incorrect option.

Note:
Look through the given options and understand the meanings. Use them in a sentence in order to completely understand their meaning. Make sure to differentiate between ‘patrimony’ and ‘inheritance’. Then, choose the correct option accordingly.