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