Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
inveterate - 6 dictionary results

in⋅vet⋅er⋅ate

[in-vet-er-it]
–adjective
1. settled or confirmed in a habit, practice, feeling, or the like: an inveterate gambler.
2. firmly established by long continuance, as a disease, habit, practice, feeling, etc.; chronic.

Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < L inveterātus (ptp. of inveterāre to grow old, allow to grow old, preserve), equiv. to in- in- 2 + veter- (s. of vetus) old + -ātus -ate 1 ; cf. veteran
in·vet·er·ate     (ĭn-vět'ər-ĭt)  Pronunciation Key 
adj.  
  1. Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences.
  2. Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: an inveterate liar. See Synonyms at chronic.


[Middle English, from Latin inveterātus, past participle of inveterārī, to grow old, endure : in-, causative pref.; see in-2 + vetus, veter-, old; see wet-2 in Indo-European roots.]

in·vet'er·a·cy (-ər-ə-sē), in·vet'er·ate·ness n., in·vet'er·ate·ly adv.

inveterate 
1528, from L. inveteratus "of long standing, chronic," pp. of inveterare "become old in," from in- "in, into" + veterare "to make old," from vetus (gen. veteris) "old" (see veteran).

inveterate

adjective
1. habitual; "a chronic smoker" [syn: chronic

adverb
1. in a habitual and longstanding manner; "smoking chronically" [syn: chronically

Inveterate

In*vet"er*a*cy\, n. [From Inveterate.]

1. Firm establishment by long continuance; firmness or deep-rooted obstinacy of any quality or state acquired by time; as, the inveteracy of custom, habit, or disease; -- usually in a bad sense; as, the inveteracy of prejudice or of error.

An inveteracy of evil habits that will prompt him to contract more. --A. Tucker.

2. Malignity; spitefulness; virulency.

The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, an the mortification of lampoons. --Guardian.

Inveterate

In*vet"er*ate\, a. [L. inveteratus, p. p. of inveterare to render old; pref. in- in + vetus, veteris, old. See Veteran.]

1. Old; long-established. [Obs.]

It is an inveterate and received opinion. --Bacon.

2. Firmly established by long continuance; obstinate; deep-rooted; of long standing; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate abuse.

Heal the inveterate canker of one wound. --Shak.

3. Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker.

4. Malignant; virulent; spiteful. --H. Brooke.

Share :Share This: digg.comShare This: www.stumbleupon.comShare This: del.icio.usShare This: FacebookShare This: favorites.live.comShare This: www.technorati.comShare This: furl.netShare This: www.myspace.comShare This: www.google.comShare This: myweb2.search.yahoo.comShare This: myjeeves.ask.com
Search another word or see inveterate on Thesaurus | Reference | Translate
Get your FREE Subscription to Dictionary.com Word of the Day
The FREE Dictionary.com Toolbar
Dictionary Thesaurus Reference
The answers are right on your browser and just a click away with Dictionary.com Toolbar.