Definition of Inveterate

1. Adjective. Habitual. "A chronic smoker"

Exact synonyms: Chronic
Similar to: Usual

2. Adverb. In a habitual and longstanding manner. "Smoking chronically"
Exact synonyms: Chronically

Definition of Inveterate

1. a. Old; long-established.

2. v. t. To fix and settle by long continuance.

Definition of Inveterate

1. Adjective. Old; firmly established by long continuance; of long standing; obstinately deep-rooted; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate habit. ¹

2. Adjective. (context: of a person) Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker. ¹

3. Adjective. Malignant; virulent; spiteful. ¹

4. Verb. (obsolete) To fix and settle by long continuance; to entrench. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Inveterate

1. [adj]

Medical Definition of Inveterate

1. 1. Old; long-established. "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. Origin: L. Inveteratus, p. P. Of inveterare to render old; pref. In- in + vetus, veteris, old. See Veteran. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Inveterate

investment letter
investment tax credit
investment trust
investments
investor
investor-owned utility
investors
investors club
invests
investure
investured
investures
investuring
inveteracies
inveteracy
inveterate
inveterate(a)
inveterated
inveterately
inveterateness
inveterates
inveterating
inveteration
inveteratist
invex
invexed
inviabilities
inviability
inviable
inviably

Literary usage of Inveterate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Chronological History of the West Indies by Thomas Southey (1827)
"... and by that means affording to our inveterate enemies the very sinews of such warlike operations as they may think proper to plan against us. ..."

2. The Edinburgh Review by Sydney Smith (1869)
"We will give a few examples of the practical mistakes into which Mr. Arnold is perpetually led by his inveterate habit of regarding the intellectual and ..."

3. A General Collection of the Best and Most Interesting Voyages and Travels in by John Pinkerton (1814)
"... family attachments indeed, as well as from their inveterate prejudices in favour of ancient ... inveterate ..."

4. An American Glossary by Richard Hopwood Thornton (1912)
"1848 My inveterate enemies, the Hunkers, are getting excited, —Dow, Jan., ' Patent Sermons,' i. 130. 1853 The old hunkers are bitter against [Mr. Wise of ..."

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