Inveterate

(45), a. [Lat. inveteratus, p. p. of inveterare; It. inveterato, Sp. inveterado, Fr. invétéré. See infra.]

1Sense 1. Old; long established. [Obs.]

It is an inveterate and received opinion. Bacon.

2Sense 2. Firmly established by long continuance; obstinate; deep-rooted; virulent; malignant; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate abuse.

Heal the inveterate canker of our wound. Shak.

3Sense 3. Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler.

v. t. [Lat. inveterare, inveteratum, to render old, from prefix in, not, and vetus, veteris, old; It. inveterare, Sp. inveterarse, Fr. invétérer, to become old.] To fix and settle by long continuance. [Obs.] Bacon.