| 释义 |
covetousness|ˈkʌvɪtəsnɪs|
[f. as prec. + -ness.]
†1. Strong or inordinate desire (of). Obs.
1486Bk. St. Albans B viij b, Who so for couetesnese of flieng leses the tyme of his hawke mewyng. 1560Becon New Catech. (1844) 122 The covetousness of money is the root of all evil. 1588Greene Pandosto (1607) 20 At last the couetousnesse of the coyne ouercame him. 1595Shakes. John iv. ii. 29 When Workemen striue to do better then wel, They do confound their skill in couetousnesse.
2. Inordinate and culpable desire of possessing that which belongs to another or to which one has no right.
1526–34Tindale Mark vii. 22 Oute of the herte of men proceade..theeft, coveteousnes, wickednes. 1533Eden Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.) 34 Declaring the couetousnes of the Spaniardes to be vnsaciable. 1651Hobbes Leviath. i. vi. 26 Desire of Riches [is called] Covetousnesse: a name used alwayes in signification of blame. 1841Lane Arab. Nts. I. 54 Casting the eyes of covetousness upon the whole of the property. 1879M. Arnold Equality Mixed Ess. 49 We understand by covetousness the longing for other people's goods. |