dam·no·sa he·re·di·tas noun ordamnosa hae·re·di·tas\dam|nōsəhəˈredə̇ˌtas\ Etymology: Latin, literally, damaging inheritance 1.Roman law: an inheritance from a person who dies insolvent and whose debts the heir is bound to discharge 2.: a harmful or burdensome inheritance < a damnosa hereditas from an imperfectly socialized … condition — Times Literary Supplement >