adj. 1 (of a person) confirmed in an (esp. undesirable) habit etc. (an inveterate gambler). 2 a (of a habit etc.) long-established. b (of an activity, esp. an undesirable one) habitual. inveteracy n. inveterately adv.
[ ME f. L inveterare inveterat- make old (as IN-(2), vetus veteris old) ]