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Webster 1913 Edition


Covetousness

Cov′et-ous-ness

,
Noun.
1.
Strong desire.
[R.]
When workmen strive to do better than well,
They do confound their skill in
covetousness
.
Shakespeare
2.
A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; – in a bad sense.
Syn. – Avarice; cupidity; eagerness.

Webster 1828 Edition


Covetousness

COVETOUSNESS

,
Noun.
1.
A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; usually in a bad sense, and applied to an inordinate desire of wealth or avarice.
Out of the heart proceedeth covetousness. Mark 7.
Mortify your members--and covetousness which is idolatry. Colossians 3.
2.
Strong desire; eagerness.

Definition 2024


covetousness

covetousness

English

Noun

covetousness (usually uncountable, plural covetousnesses)

  1. Immoderate desire for the possession of something, especially for wealth.
    • 1588: La Placette, Jean Of the Incurable Scepticism of the Church of Rome
      He which will yield to Fear. muſt neceſſarily yield to Covetouſneſs or any inordinate Deſire.
    • 1661: Johnson, J. The morning-exercise at Cripple-gate
      Covetouſneſs is the yelow Jaundice of the foul, which ariſes from the over-flowing of the heart with love to yellow gold, by which a Chriſtian is dull'd and deadned.
    • 1815: Lavington, Samuel Sermons and other discourses, Volume 1
      Covetousness prevents all good, and is and inlet and encouragement to evil.
    • 1976: Ellul, Jacques The Ethics of Freedom page 134
      In obvious compensation and opposition the fear of nothingness becomes the source of covetousness...

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:greed

Translations