chron·ic  (kr ŏn ĭk)
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adj.1. Of long duration; continuing: chronic money problems. 2. Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence, as certain diseases: chronic colitis. 3. 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.]
chroni·cal·ly adv. chro·nici·ty (krŏ-nĭsĭ-tē) n.
Synonyms: chronic, confirmed, habitual, inveterate These adjectives describe people who have a longtime habit, behavior, or tendency: a chronic complainer; a confirmed alcoholic; a habitual cheat; an inveterate smoker. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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