Inveteracy /(?)/

In·vet·er·a·cy

Inveteracy

n.
  1. 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.
  2. Malignity; spitefulness; virulency.
    The rancor of pamphlets, the inveteracy of epigrams, and the mortification of lampoons.