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definitions

chronic

[kron-ik]
||

adjective

constant; habitual; inveterate: a chronic liar.
continuing a long time or recurring frequently: a chronic state of civil war.
having long had a disease, habit, weakness, or the like: a chronic invalid.
(of a disease) having long duration (opposed to acute).

noun

Slang. cronic.

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Nearby words

  1. chromy,
  2. chromyl,
  3. chron-,
  4. chron.,
  5. chronaxie,
  6. chronic absorptive arthritis,
  7. chronic acholuric jaundice,
  8. chronic active liver disease,
  9. chronic adrenocortical insufficiency,
  10. chronic alcoholism
Also chron·i·cal.

Origin of chronic

1595–1605; < Latin chronicus < Greek chronikós, equivalent to chrón(os) time + -ikos -ic
SYNONYMS FOR chronic
1. confirmed, hardened.
Related forms
Can be confusedacute chronic
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for chronical

British Dictionary definitions for chronical

chronic

adjective

continuing for a long time; constantly recurring
(of a disease) developing slowly, or of long durationCompare acute (def. 7)
inveterate; habituala chronic smoker
informal
  1. very badthe play was chronic
  2. very serioushe left her in a chronic condition
Derived Formschronically, adverbchronicity (krɒˈnɪsɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for chronic

C15: from Latin chronicus relating to time, from Greek khronikos, from khronos time
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for chronical

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.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for chronical

chronic

[krŏn′ĭk]

adj.

Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for chronical

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.