Adjective
(of a problem) long-lasting and difficult to get rid of
George Washington had chronic problems with his teeth, and had lost all but one by the time he was inaugurated. He had a number of false sets. Contrary to popular belief, none were made of wood.
Officials in Indonesia are growing increasingly concerned that the deadly outbreak of bird-flu in China could have a devastating effect on the country’s favorite pastime, badminton.
Running up a lava flow is possible without much in the way of dire consequences if you (a) pick the right lava flow, cool and slow; (b) you step lively and (c) get lucky.
The Dust Bowl, or the Dirty Thirties, was a period of grievous dust storms caused by severe drought and wind erosion in the American prairie lands. "Black blizzards" often reduced visibility to a few feet (a meter) or less.
The route was brutal, ending in a grueling uphill finish. Under a relentless sun, riders' faces reflected the agony: tongues wagging, teeth gritting, mouths agape.
Adjective
experiencing a serious lack of contentment or happiness
Miser Ebenezer Scrooge is awakened on Christmas Eve by spirits who reveal to him his own miserable existence and the dire fate that awaits him if he does not change his ways.
Technicians have set out into US national parks to document the natural noises of the park, as well as ambient human noise, an audible invasion that may be stressful to wildlife.
Your digital relationship is more difficult to dispose of than burning love letters, and Twitter and Facebook are the major bugbear. The traces left are particularly difficult to remove and emotionally taxing when revisited.
Struggling with a soul-crushing job and the traumatic death of her brother, Edna develops a fear of bathing -- waging a furious and funny war against all things complacent and clean.