English Explanatory Dictionary

inveterate

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.
  2. Having had a habit (usually a bad habit) for a long time.
  3. Malignant; virulent; spiteful.
verb
  1. To fix and settle after a long time; to entrench.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈvɛtəɹɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-inveterate.wav /ɪnˈvetəɹɪt/

Word forms

inveterate more inveterate most inveterate inveterates inveterating inveterated

Etymology

The adjective is first attested in 1528, the verb in 1574; borrowed from Latin inveterātus (“of long standing, chronic”), perfect passive participle of inveterō and participial adjective (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from in- (“in, into”) + veterō (“to age”), from vetus, veteris (“old”). Cognate with Italian inveterato, French invétéré. By surface analysis, in- (“not, opposite”) + veterate.

Synonyms

bred-in-the-bone deep-rooted deep-seated dyed-in-the-wool ingrained inveterate long-standing radicated ineradicable indelible chronic permanent hardened

Antonyms

casual transient temporary momentary fleeting impermanent shifting acute novel sometime occasional dilettante

Related words

inveteracy inveterately innate obstinate inveteration veteran vetustity

Derived words

inveterateness inveteratist
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