avarice English · revision 1520

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1300}}

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|avarice]],^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(MED) [[bor|fro|avarice|t=greed, covetousness]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[la|avāritia|t=greed]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate) from [[m|la|avārus|t=greedy]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|avēre|t=to crave, long for]] (see [[avid]]),^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Klein 1966) from [[itc-pro|*awē-|t=to be eager]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Inordinate desire to gain and hoard wealth (before 1300 in the OED; about 1300 in Barnhart and Etymonline), as one of the seven deadly sins.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MED)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In Middle English it covered greed both in acquiring and in withholding goods, unwillingness to give.^(MED) By about 1386 it was also used figuratively of any eager desire to get or keep something for oneself.^(OED 1989) The adjective [[avaricious]] dates from about 1390.^(Barnhart 1995) Weekley attributes the phrase ''beyond the dreams of avarice'' to Dr Johnson, speaking of the potential of a brewery.^(Weekley 1921)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1300 – greed for wealth.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * c. 1386 – figuratively, any eager desire to get or keep.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1390 – ''avaricious''.^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Immoderate or insatiable desire for wealth or gain; [[greed]], [[cupidity]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[avaricious]]

+ * [[avid]]

+ * [[cupidity]]

+ * [[greed]]

+ * [[covetousness]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}