adj. 1. Firmly and long established; deep-rooted: inveterate preferences. [Middle English, from Latin inveterātus, past participle of inveterārī, to grow old, endure : in-, causative pref.; see IN-2 + vetus, veter-, old; see wet-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] in·veter·a·cy (-ər-ə-sē), in·veter·ate·ness n. in·veter·ate·ly adv. |
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