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adj

inveterate

Inveterate (adj) means Firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.

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.
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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.

Rhymes for inveterate

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of inveterate?

"inveterate" (adj) means firmly established from having been around for a long time; of long standing.

What are the different meanings of inveterate?

"inveterate" has 3 main meanings: 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.

Definitions from wiktionary, CC BY-SA · etymology from Wiktionary