inveterate
Meaning: Having a particular habit, belief, or activity that is long-established and unlikely to change. Describes something deeply ingrained over time.
Inveterate almost always modifies a person or their habits and implies that the characteristic is so entrenched as to be virtually permanent. It can be neutral or mildly negative — 'inveterate liar,' 'inveterate gambler' — but also carries grudging admiration in some contexts, as in 'inveterate traveller' or 'inveterate optimist.' It is never used predicatively (you cannot say 'he is inveterate').
Examples
- An inveterate gambler, he had squandered the family fortune by his fortieth birthday. 他是个嗜赌成性的人,四十岁之前就挥霍掉了家产。Jugador empedernido, había dilapidado la fortuna familiar antes de cumplir los cuarenta.筋金入りのギャンブラーだった彼は、40歳になる前に一族の財産を使い果たしていた。타고난 도박꾼이었던 그는 40번째 생일 전에 가문의 재산을 탕진해 버렸다.
- She was an inveterate letter-writer who maintained correspondence with dozens of friends across the world. 她是个热衷写信的人,与世界各地数十位朋友保持着通信往来。Era una escritora de cartas empedernida que mantenía correspondencia con decenas de amigos en todo el mundo.彼女は根っからの手紙好きで、世界中の何十人もの友人と文通を続けていた。그녀는 골수 편지광으로, 전 세계 수십 명의 친구들과 서신을 주고받았다.
- The minister's inveterate hostility to reform made compromise all but impossible. 那位大臣根深蒂固地敌视改革,使得妥协几乎不可能实现。La inveterada hostilidad del ministro hacia las reformas hizo prácticamente imposible cualquier compromiso.その大臣の改革に対する根深い敵意が、妥協をほぼ不可能なものにしていた。그 장관의 개혁에 대한 뿌리 깊은 적대감이 타협을 사실상 불가능하게 만들었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: literary, journalism
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin inveteratus (of long standing), past participle of inveterare (to render old), from in- (in) + vetus (old). Entered English in the late 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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