chron·ic

adj \ˈkrä-nik\

Definition of CHRONIC

1

a : marked by long duration or frequent recurrence : not acute <chronic indigestion> <chronic experiments> b : suffering from a chronic disease <the special needs of chronic patients>

2

a : always present or encountered; especially : constantly vexing, weakening, or troubling <chronic petty warfare> b : being such habitually <a chronic grumbler>

— chronic noun

— chron·i·cal·ly adverb

— chro·nic·i·ty noun

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Examples of CHRONIC

1. He suffers from chronic arthritis.
2. a chronic need for attention
3. Inflation has become a chronic condition in the economy.
4. Don't bother seeing that film—it's chronic.

Origin of CHRONIC

French chronique, from Greek chronikos of time, from chronos

First Known Use: 1601

Related to CHRONIC

Synonyms: bred-in-the-bone, habitual, confirmed, dyed-in-the-wool, inveterate

 

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English Words Note. 5

else

adv \ˈel(t)s\

Definition of ELSE

1

a : in a different manner or place or at a different time <how else could he have acted> <here and nowhere else> b : in an additional manner or place or at an additional time <where else is gold found>

2

: if not : otherwise <leave or else you'll be sorry> —used absolutely to express a threat <do what I tell you or else>

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Examples of ELSE

1. We decided to go someplace else for dinner.
2. <if you could do it over again, how else would you have done it?>

Origin of ELSE

Middle English elles, from Old English; akin to Latin alius other, alter other of two, Greek allos other

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to ELSE

Synonyms: differently, otherwise, other (than)

Antonyms: likewise

 

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English Words Note. 4

el·e·gy

noun \ˈe-lə-jē\

plural el·e·gies

Definition of ELEGY

1

: a poem in elegiac couplets

2

a : a song or poem expressing sorrow or lamentation especially for one who is dead b : something (as a speech) resembling such a song or poem

3

a : a pensive or reflective poem that is usually nostalgic or melancholy b : a short pensive musical composition

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Examples of ELEGY

1. <“O Captain! My Captain!” is Walt Whitman's elegy on the death of President Lincoln>

Origin of ELEGY

Latin elegia poem in elegiac couplets, from Greek elegeia, elegeion, from elegos song of mourning

First Known Use: 1501

Related to ELEGY

Synonyms: dirge, lament, requiem, threnody

 

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English Words Note. 3

ax·i·al

adj \ˈak-sē-əl\

Definition of AXIAL

1

: of, relating to, or having the characteristics of an axis

2

a : situated around, in the direction of, on, or along an axis b : extending in a direction essentially perpendicular to the plane of a cyclic structure (as of cyclohexane) <axial hydrogens> — compare equatorial

— ax·i·al·i·ty noun

— ax·i·al·ly adverb

 

 

 

hypo-

prefix

Definition of HYPO-

1

: under : beneath : down <hypoblast> <hypodermic>

2

: less than normal or normally <hypesthesia> <hypotension>

3

: in a lower state of oxidation : in a low and usually the lowest position in a series of compounds <hypochlorous acid> <hypoxanthine>

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Variants of HYPO-

hypo- or hyp-

Origin of HYPO-

Late Latin hypo-, hyp-, from Greek, from hypo — more at up

 

 

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