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inveteracy

[in-vet-er-uh-see]
noun
  1. the quality or state of being inveterate or deeply ingrained: the inveteracy of people's prejudices.
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Origin of inveteracy

First recorded in 1710–20; inveter(ate) + -acy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for inveteracy

Historical Examples of inveteracy

  • The impudence, the inveteracy of that fellow, is astonishing—no silencing him.

    Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)

    Maria Edgeworth

  • They have the same sort of inveteracy as dogs have for the ill-dressed canaille.

  • Their constant tendency is to increase in virulence and inveteracy.

  • “The New Yorkers never forgave him,” says your latest biographer; and one scarcely marvels at the inveteracy of their malice.

  • The inveteracy of opposition to the administration of Mr. Adams was systematic, violent, and unprincipled.

Word Origin and History for inveteracy

n.

1690s, from inveterate + -cy.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper