| inveteracy | 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. "An inveteracy of evil habits that will prompt him to contract more." (A. Tucker) 2. Malignity; spitefulness; virulency. "The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, an the mortification of lampoons." (Guardian) Origin: From Inveterate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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