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inveterate

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The definition of inveterate is something longstanding, ingrained or unlikely to change.

(adjective)

A person who has smoked for 50 years is an example of someone who would be described as an inveterate smoker.

See inveterate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

firmly established over a long period; of long standing; deep-rooted
settled in a habit, practice, prejudice, etc.; habitual

Origin: L inveteratus, pp. of inveterare, to make or become old < in-, in + vetus, old: see veteran

Related Forms:

inveteracy noun
inveterately adverb

See inveterate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences.
Persisting in an ingrained habit; habitual: an inveterate liar. See Synonyms at chronic.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin inveterātus

Origin: , past participle of inveterārī, to grow old, endure

Origin: : in-, causative pref.; see in-²

Origin: + vetus, veter-, old; see wet-² in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

in·vetˈer·a·cy (-ər-ə-sē), in·vetˈer·ate·ness noun

in·vetˈer·ate·ly adverb

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