The Collaborative International Dictionary
Inveteracy \In*vet"er*a*cy\, n. [From Inveterate.]
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Firm establishment by long continuance; firmness or deep-rooted obstinacy of any quality or state acquired by time; as, the inveteracy of custom, habit, or disease; -- usually in a bad sense; as, the inveteracy of prejudice or of error.
An inveteracy of evil habits that will prompt him to contract more.
--A. Tucker. -
Malignity; spitefulness; virulency.
The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, and the mortification of lampoons.
--Guardian.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1690s, from inveterate + -cy.
Wiktionary
n. The state of being inveterate; long continuance; firmness or deep-rooted persistence.
Usage examples of "inveteracy".
Jack had very early determined that there should be no evident breach, no barbarous sullen inveteracy, and once a week he invited the officer (and sometimes the midshipman) of the forenoon watch to dinner, whoever he was.