Chronic definition |Dictionary.com

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chronic

7 dictionary results for: Chronic

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

chron·ic

[kron-ik] Pronunciation Key

–adjective

1.	constant; habitual; inveterate: a chronic liar.

2.	continuing a long time or recurring frequently: a chronic state of civil war.

3.	having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like: a chronic invalid.

4.	(of a disease) having long duration (opposed to acute).

Also, chron·i·cal.

[Origin: 1595–1605; < L chronicus < Gk chronikós, equiv. to chrón(os) time + -ikos -ic

]

—Related forms

chron·i·cal·ly, adverb

chro·nic·i·ty

[kro-nis-i-tee] Pronunciation Key, noun

—Synonyms 1. confirmed, hardened.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

chron·ic (krŏn'ĭk) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Of long duration; continuing: chronic money problems.
Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence, as certain diseases: chronic colitis.
Subject to a habit or pattern of behavior for a long time: a chronic liar.

[French chronique, from Latin chronicus, from Greek khronikos, of time, from khronos, time.]

chron'i·cal·ly adv., chro·nic'i·ty (krŏ-nĭs'ĭ-tē) n.

Synonyms: These adjectives mean having long had a habit or a disease: a chronic complainer; a confirmed alcoholic; a habitual cheat; an inveterate smoker.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
chronic

1601 (earlier form was chronical, 1530), from O.Fr. chronique, from L. chronicus, from Gk. khronikos "of time," from khronos "time." Vague disapproving sense is from association with diseases (a connection found since 1601).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

chronic
adjective
1.	being long-lasting and recurrent or characterized by long suffering; "chronic indigestion"; "a chronic shortage of funds"; "a chronic invalid" [ant: acute]
2.	of long duration; "chronic money problems"
3.	habitual; "a chronic smoker"

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The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

chronic (krŏn'ĭk) Pronunciation Key

Relating to an illness or medical condition that is characterized by long duration or frequent recurrence. Diabetes and hypertension are chronic diseases. Compare acute.

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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

chronic chron·ic (krŏn'ĭk)
adj.
Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Chronic

Chron"ic\, a. [L. chronicus, Gr. ? concerning time, from ? time: cf. F. chronique.]

1. Relating to time; according to time.

2. Continuing for a long time; lingering; habitual.

Chronic disease, one which is inveterate, of long continuance, or progresses slowly, in distinction from an acute disease, which speedly terminates.

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