1.
A ~ illness or disability lasts for a very long time. Compare acute .
...~ back pain.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ally
Most of them were ~ally ill.
ADV: ADV adj/-ed
2.
You can describe someone’s bad habits or behaviour as ~ when they have behaved like that for a long time and do not seem to be able to stop themselves.
...a ~ worrier.
ADJ: ADJ n
3.
A ~ situation or problem is very severe and unpleasant.
One cause of the artist’s suicide seems to have been ~ poverty...
= severe
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ally
Research and technology are said to be ~ally underfunded.
ADV: ADV adj/-ed