chronic
adjective
°(of a problem) That which continues over an extended period of time, often associated with suffering ("long suffering").
°(medicine) Prolonged or slow to heal. The opposite of acute.
noun
°A chronic one.
°(slang) Marijuana, typically of high quality.
the
verb
°With a comparative or more and a verb phrase, establishes a parallel with one or more other such comparatives.
"The hotter, the better."
°With a comparative, and often with for it, indicates a result more like said comparative. This can be negated with none.
"It was a difficult time, but I’m the wiser for it."