Definitions for: Envy


[n] spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)
[n] a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something possessed by another
[v] be envious of; set one's heart on
[v] feel envious towards; admire enviously



Webster (1913) Definition: En"vy, n.; pl. Envies. [F. envie, L. invidia envious;
akin to invidere to look askance at, to look with enmity; in
against + videre to see. See Vision.]
1. Malice; ill will; spite. [Obs.]

If he evade us there, Enforce him with his envy to
the people. --Shak.

2. Chagrin, mortification, discontent, or uneasiness at the
sight of another's excellence or good fortune, accompanied
with some degree of hatred and a desire to possess equal
advantages; malicious grudging; -- usually followed by of;
as, they did this in envy of C[ae]sar.

Envy is a repining at the prosperity or good of
another, or anger and displeasure at any good of
another which we want, or any advantage another hath
above us. --Ray.

No bliss Enjoyed by us excites his envy more.
--Milton.

Envy, to which the ignoble mind's a slave, Is
emulation in the learned or brave. --Pope.

3. Emulation; rivalry. [Obs.]

Such as cleanliness and decency Prompt to a virtuous
envy. --Ford.

4. Public odium; ill repute. [Obs.]

To lay the envy of the war upon Cicero. --B. Jonson.

5. An object of envious notice or feeling.

This constitution in former days used to be the envy
of the world. --Macaulay.


En"vy, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Envied; p. pr. & vb. n.
Envying.] [F. envier.]
1. To feel envy at or towards; to be envious of; to have a
feeling of uneasiness or mortification in regard to (any
one), arising from the sight of another's excellence or
good fortune and a longing to possess it.

A woman does not envy a man for his fighting
courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty.
--Collier.

Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.
--Rambler.

2. To feel envy on account of; to have a feeling of grief or
repining, with a longing to possess (some excellence or
good fortune of another, or an equal good fortune, etc.);
to look with grudging upon; to begrudge.

I have seen thee fight, When I have envied thy
behavior. --Shak.

Jeffrey . . . had actually envied his friends their
cool mountain breezes. --Froude.

3. To long after; to desire strongly; to covet.

Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share. --T.
Gray.

4. To do harm to; to injure; to disparage. [Obs.]

If I make a lie To gain your love and envy my best
mistress, Put me against a wall. --J. Fletcher.

5. To hate. [Obs.] --Marlowe.

6. To emulate. [Obs.] --Spenser.


En"vy, v. i.
1. To be filled with envious feelings; to regard anything
with grudging and longing eyes; -- used especially with
at.

Who would envy at the prosperity of the wicked?
--Jer. Taylor.

2. To show malice or ill will; to rail. [Obs.] ``He has . . .
envied against the people.'' --Shak.

Synonyms: begrudge, enviousness, invidia, the green-eyed monster

See Also: admire, bitterness, covet, covetousness, deadly sin, desire, gall, green-eyed monster, jealousy, look up to, mortal sin, penis envy, rancor, rancour, resentment, want

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