n. [ From Inveterate. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Firm establishment by long continuance; firmness or deep-rooted obstinacy of any quality or state acquired by time; as, the inveteracy of custom, habit, or disease; -- usually in a bad sense; as, the inveteracy of prejudice or of error. [ 1913 Webster ]

An inveteracy of evil habits that will prompt him to contract more. A. Tucker. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Malignity; spitefulness; virulency. [ 1913 Webster ]

The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, and the mortification of lampoons. Guardian. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. inveteratus, p. p. of inveterare to render old; pref. in- in + vetus, veteris, old. See Veteran. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Old; long-established. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It is an inveterate and received opinion. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Firmly established by long continuance; obstinate; deep-rooted; of long standing; as, an inveterate disease; an inveterate abuse. [ 1913 Webster ]

Heal the inveterate canker of one wound. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Having habits fixed by long continuance; confirmed; habitual; as, an inveterate idler or smoker. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Malignant; virulent; spiteful. H. Brooke. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To fix and settle by long continuance. [ Obs. ] Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an inveterate manner or degree. “Inveterately tough.” Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Inveteracy. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]