Main Entry:

chron·ic

Pronunciation:

\ˈkrä-nik\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

French chronique, from Greek chronikos of time, from chronos

Date:

1601

1 a: marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute <chronic indigestion> <chronic experiments> b: suffering from a chronic disease <the special needs of chronic patients>2 a: always present or encountered ; especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <chronic petty warfare> b: being such habitually <a chronic grumbler>

synonyms see inveterate

— chronic noun

— chron·i·cal·ly \-ni-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

— chro·nic·i·ty \krä-ˈni-sə-tē, krō-\ noun