Inheritance

It is the process by which one object acquires the properties of another object. 

This supports the hierarchical classification. 

Without the use of hierarchies, each object would need to define all its characteristics explicitly. 

However, by use of inheritance, an object need only define those qualities that make it unique within its class. 

It can inherit its general attributes from its parent. 

A new sub-class inherits all of the attributes of all of its ancestors.