inveterate

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈvɛt(ə)rət/

adjective

[attributive]
  • having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change: an inveterate gambler
  • (of a feeling or habit) long-established and unlikely to change: his inveterate hostility to what he considered to be the ‘reactionary’ powers

Derivatives

inveteracy

Pronunciation: /-rəsi/
noun

inveterately

adverb

Origin:

late Middle English (referring to disease, in the sense 'of long standing, chronic'): from Latin inveteratus 'made old', past participle of inveterare (based on vetus, veter- 'old')