Inveterate

Adjective

Definition: Firmly established or settled over a long period; deep-rooted.

Definition: Habitual or confirmed, especially in a particular bad or undesirable quality or behavior.

Synonyms: Entrenched, Ingrained, Chronic, Persistent

Antonyms: Fleeting, Temporary, Transient

Examples:
  • He is an inveterate smoker, having smoked for over 30 years.
  • She has an inveterate fear of spiders and cannot even look at a picture of one.
Mnemonics:
  • "Inv-eterate" sounds like "in-vert-rate," indicating something deeply ingrained or fixed.
  • Think of the word "inVADERate" with the "vader" part resembling "inveterate," representing something that has taken over and become a part of someone or something.

Etymology:

Origin:

Late Middle English (in the sense 'inveigled, captured by desire'): from Latin inveteratus 'become old, aged', from the verb inveterare, from in- 'in, into' + vetus, veter- 'old'.

Historical Usage:

The term originates from Latin and has been used in English since the late Middle Ages.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Inveterate bachelor"

Explanation:

Referring to a man who has remained single and unmarried for a long time, indicating a deeply ingrained tendency to remain unmarried.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing "inveterate" with "invertebrate."

Explanation:

"Inveterate" refers to something deeply established or confirmed, while "invertebrate" refers to an animal lacking a backbone.

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