afterbear

English

Etymology

From after- +‎ bear (“one who is”, literally “be-er”), modelled after forebear (literally “fore-be-er”).

Noun

afterbear (plural afterbears)

1. A descendant; one who comes after another genealogically.
   • 1935, The Spectator:

     The first page of the Family Bible amplified and brought up to this irreverent date; sentimental, practical, witty, even scientific — yes, even psychological; a book for those who care about their forebears and their afterbears.

   • 1988, Punch:

     A teapot moulded in the form of Madonna, tastefully hand-coloured, named md dated (doubtless a century from now to be deemed to be some sort of religious vessel)? What else might we expect our afterbears to love and cherish in times to come?

   • 2009, Michael Kilby, More from Mephistopheles:

     Of the two lakes, the upper is the flood risk, the lower alder-overgrown, heterodox, once a clear expanse for winter village kids to frisk about, skating, sliding: the afterbears of silk throwsters.

   • 2011, Michael Griffith, Trophy: A Novel:

     And so, like all its forebears and afterbears, like everything but his present bear, the photo-exposé idea curled up and croaked.

Antonyms

• forebear