chronic
- 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).
- Slang. cronic.
Origin of chronic
Synonyms for chronic
Examples from the Web for chronical
Historical Examples of chronical
I have oft known the acute and chronical diseases of afflicted ones relieved by prayer without any natural means.
A Christian Directory (Part 2 of 4)Richard Baxter
A vitiated digestion I believe always terminates, if not cured, in the production of some chronical disorder.
The Works of William CowperWilliam Cowper
And scarce any one chronical distemper whatever, but has some degree of this evil faithfully attending it.
Vegetable Diet: As Sanctioned by Medical Men, and by Experience in All AgesWilliam Andrus Alcott
It raged mostly among children and youths, and was wont to affect them with a long and, as it were, a chronical sickness.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)Charles Creighton
We often wish that some gallant, useful man, who is dying of a chronical disease, might yet live longer.
Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship and Travels, Vol. I (of 2)Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
chronic
- continuing for a long time; constantly recurring
- (of a disease) developing slowly, or of long durationCompare acute (def. 7)
- inveterate; habituala chronic smoker
- informal
- very badthe play was chronic
- very serioushe left her in a chronic condition
Word Origin for chronic
Word Origin and History for chronical
chronic
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
(krŏn′ĭk)- Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.
chronic
- Relating to an illness or medical condition that is characterized by long duration or frequent recurrence. Diabetes and hypertension are chronic diseases. Compare acute.