[chron.ic] adj [F chronique, fr. Gk chronikos of time, fr. chronos] (1601) 1 a: marked by long duration or frequent recurrence: not acute "~ indigestion" "~ experiments" b: suffering from a chronic disease "the special needs of ~ patients"
2. a: always present or encountered; esp: constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling "~ petty warfare" b: being such habitually "a ~ grumbler" syn see inveterate -- chronic n -- chron.i.cal.ly adv -- chro.nic.i.ty n