scion

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The Word of the Day for June 11 is:

scion   \SYE-un\   noun
     1 : a detached living portion of a plant (as a bud or shoot) joined to a 
stock in grafting and usually supplying solely aerial parts to a graft
    *2 : descendant, child; especially : a descendant of a wealthy, 
aristocratic, or influential family
     3 : heir

Example sentence:
     The scion of a family of legendary actors, Fiona was well groomed for her 
own show business career.

Did you know?
     "Scion" derives from the Middle English "sioun" and Old French "cion," and 
is related to the Old English "cith" and the Old High German "kidi" ("sprout" 
or "shoot"). When it first sprouted in English in the 13th century, "scion" 
meant "a shoot or twig." That sense withered in horticultural contexts, but the 
word branched out, adding the grafting-related meaning we know today. The 
figurative sense, "descendant," blossomed in the 19th century, with particular 
reference to those who were descendants of notable families. 

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.