chronic
[kron-ik]
- 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).
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- Slang. cronic.
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Also chron·i·cal.
Origin of chronic
Synonyms
See more synonyms for chronic on Thesaurus.com1. confirmed, hardened.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for chronical
Historical Examples
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
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Word Origin
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
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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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
chronic
(krŏn′ĭk)- Of long duration. Used of a disease of slow progress and long continuance.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.