What does "inveterate" mean?
Inveterate: 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.
Additional senses
- 2.Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker.
- 3.Malignant; virulent; spiteful. H. Brooke.
- 4.To fix and settle by long continuance. [Obs.] Bacon.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00