chronic

[kron-ik] /ˈkrɒn ɪk/
adjective
1.
constant; habitual; inveterate:
a chronic liar.
2.
continuing a long time or recurring frequently:
a chronic state of civil war.
3.
having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like:
a chronic invalid.
4.
(of a disease) having long duration (opposed to acute).
noun
5.
Slang. cronic.
Also, chronical.
Origin
1595-1605; < Latin chronicus < Greek chronikós, equivalent to chrón(os) time + -ikos -ic
Related forms
chronically, adverb
chronicity
[kro-nis-i-tee] /krɒˈnɪs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), noun
nonchronic, adjective
nonchronical, adjective
nonchronically, adverb
subchronic, adjective
subchronical, adjective
subchronically, adverb
unchronic, adjective
unchronically, adverb
Can be confused
acute, chronic.
Synonyms
1. confirmed, hardened.
Examples from the web for chronic
  • chronic or recurrent acute sinusitis can be a lifelong condition.
  • Discovering how bears prevent urine from entering the kidneys could help treat patients suffering from chronic kidney failure.
  • chronic power outages and electrical fluctuations have been the norm.
  • Either way, shortening is linked to chronic disease risk and diminished longevity.
  • He also suffered from chronic clotting, which led to a series of strokes.
  • The poet's chronic heart disease is a recurrent concern.
  • The same is true of my torso, with the result that backache from inertia and pressure is a chronic irritation.
  • There is a chronic failure of leadership, whether by civilian politicians or the army.
  • Improper weight and diet strongly correlate with chronic diseases, which account for three-fourths of all health-care spending.
  • For insomniacs, theirs is often a chronic condition.
British Dictionary definitions for chronic

chronic

/ˈkrɒnɪk/
adjective
1.
continuing for a long time; constantly recurring
2.
(of a disease) developing slowly, or of long duration Compare acute (sense 7)
3.
inveterate; habitual: a chronic smoker
4.
(informal)
  1. very bad: the play was chronic
  2. very serious: he left her in a chronic condition
Derived Forms
chronically, adverb
chronicity (krɒˈnɪsɪtɪ) noun
Word Origin
C15: from Latin chronicus relating to time, from Greek khronikos, from khronos time
Word Origin and History for chronic
adj.

early 15c., of diseases, "lasting a long time," from Middle French chronique, from Latin chronicus, from Greek khronikos "of time, concerning time," from khronos "time" (see chrono-). Vague disapproving sense (from 17c.) is from association with diseases and later addictions.

chronic in Medicine

chronic chron·ic (krŏn'ĭk)
adj.
Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.

chronic in Science
chronic
  (krŏn'ĭk)   
Relating to an illness or medical condition that is characterized by long duration or frequent recurrence. Diabetes and hypertension are chronic diseases. Compare acute.
Slang definitions & phrases for chronic

chronic

noun

Marijuana; pot: Smoking a spliff of high-octane chronic (1990s+)