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chronic

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The definition of chronic is something that lasts for a long time, keeps coming back or continues to happen.

(adjective)

An example of chronic is back pain that a person has every day.
An example of chronic is allergies that a person has often.
An example of chronic is taking pain medication on a daily basis.

See chronic in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

lasting a long time or recurring often
having had an ailment for a long time: a chronic patient
continuing indefinitely; perpetual; constant: a chronic worry
by habit, custom, etc.; habitual; inveterate: a chronic complainer

Origin: Fr cronique < L chronicus < Gr chronikos, of time < chronos, time

noun

a chronic patient

Related Forms:

chronically adverb
chronicity noun

See chronic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Of long duration; continuing: chronic money problems.
Lasting for a long period of time or marked by frequent recurrence, as certain diseases: chronic colitis.
Subject to a habit or pattern of behavior for a long time: a chronic liar.

Origin:

Origin: French chronique

Origin: , from Latin chronicus

Origin: , from Greek khronikos, of time

Origin: , from khronos, time

Related Forms:

chronˈi·cal·ly adverb

chro·nicˈi·ty (krŏ-nĭsˈĭ-tē) noun

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