chronic English · revision 6897

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1425|origins=grc χρόνος}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkɹɒn.ɪk/ ''(UK)''; /ˈkɹɑ.nɪk/, /ˈkɹɒn.ɪk/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|cronique]] and directly [[bor|la|chronicus]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) from [[grc|χρονικός|tr=khronikós|t=of or concerning time]], from [[m|grc|χρόνος|tr=khrónos|t=time]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988) The spelling chronic, after Latin, is from 1655.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of diseases, lasting a long time: probably before 1425, in a translation of Chauliac's surgery, as cronic;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) 1601 in the OED and MWU.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The literal ''relating to time'' was rare and is obsolete (1605).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Of people, such as a ''chronic invalid'', it is from 1842.^(OED 1989) A vague disapproving sense, continuous or constant, came from the association with disease and later addiction (1860).^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) In informal British English, of very poor quality, ''the film was chronic'', developed in the mid-19th century from the idea of endless tedium.^(Cresswell 2021) As slang for cannabis, it was popularized from 1992 by Dr Dre's album ''The Chronic''.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1425 – of diseases, long-lasting.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1655 – the spelling chronic.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1842 – of invalids.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1860 – constant (colloquial).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1992 – cannabis.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of an [[illness]], lasting a long time or recurring often.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Having a habit or condition for a long time: ''a chronic liar''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Continuing or recurring; [[persistent]]: ''a chronic shortage''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(British, informal)'' Very bad.^(Collins 2023)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[chronically]]

+ * [[chronicity]]

+ * [[nonchronic]]

+ * [[subchronic]]

+ * [[chronic fatigue syndrome]]

+ * [[chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[chronicle]]

+ * [[chronology]]

+ * [[chronometer]]

+ * [[anachronism]]

+ * [[synchronize]]

+ * [[crony]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}