Covetousness

Origin

covetous + -ness

Full definition of covetousness

Noun

1. Immoderate desire for the possession of something, especially for wealth.
• 1588: La Placette, Jean Of the Incurable Scepticism of the Church of RomeHe which will yield to Fear. muÅ¿t neceÅ¿Å¿arily yield to CovetouÅ¿neÅ¿s or any inordinate DeÅ¿ire.
• 1661: Johnson, J. The morning-exercise at Cripple-gateCovetouÅ¿neÅ¿s is the yelow Jaundice of the foul, which ariÅ¿es from the over-flowing of the heart with love to yellow gold, by which a ChriÅ¿tian is dull'd and deadned.
• 1815: Lavington, Samuel Sermons and other discourses, Volume 1Covetousness prevents all good, and is and inlet and encouragement to evil.
• 1976: Ellul, Jacques The Ethics of Freedom page 134In obvious compensation and opposition the fear of nothingness becomes the source of covetousness...

Synonyms