inveterate
Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
- adjective Old; firmly established by long continuance; of long standing; obstinately deep-rooted; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate habit.
- adjective Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker.
- adjective Malignant; virulent; spiteful.
- verb To fix and settle by long continuance; to entrench.
Examples
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Observe how inveterate is the malice that wicked men have towards the righteous, how far it will go, and what a variety of cruelties it will invent and exercise upon those against whom they have no cause of quarrel, except in the matters of their God.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation)
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She was one of that peculiar class of females, who, if there is any thing to be said, always claim the privilege of saying it; in other words, an inveterate talker; and who, if we may be allowed the phrase, managed her husband, and all around her, with the length of her tongue.
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These were kept going day and night to supply the German army; and it was strange to see with what zeal Frenchmen toiled to fill the stomachs of their inveterate enemies, and with what alacrity the mayor and other. officials filled requisitions for wine, cheese, suits of livery, riding-whips, and even squab pigeons.
The Memoirs of General P. H. Sheridan, Vol. 2, by General Philip Henry Sheridan
Note
The word 'inveterate' comes from a Latin word meaning 'to grow old, endure', and is related to the word 'veteran'.
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