Ingrained

Ingrained

Adjective · /ɪnˈɡreɪnd/

Definition

Firmly established and difficult to change; (of a habit, belief, or attitude) deeply fixed in a person's mind; (of dirt or stain) embedded in a surface.

Origin

From in- + grained, from grain (the texture of wood or other material). The phrase in grain meant dyed in the fibre itself, from the use of kermes dye (called grain). Used figuratively from the 16th century.