Dictionary-Definition.com :: Envy definition

Definition of 'envy'

noun

A feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another [syn: envy, enviousness]

noun

Spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins) [syn: envy, invidia]

verb

Feel envious towards; admire enviously

verb

Be envious of; set one's heart on [syn: envy, begrudge]

From: GCIDE

Envy \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.] [1913 Webster]
If he evade us there, Enforce him with his envy to the people. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
No bliss Enjoyed by us excites his envy more. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
Envy, to which the ignoble mind's a slave, Is emulation in the learned or brave. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
3. Emulation; rivalry. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
Such as cleanliness and decency Prompt to a virtuous envy. --Ford. [1913 Webster]
4. Public odium; ill repute. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
To lay the envy of the war upon Cicero. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
5. An object of envious notice or feeling. [1913 Webster]
This constitution in former days used to be the envy of the world. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Envy \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. [1913 Webster]
A woman does not envy a man for his fighting courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty. --Collier. [1913 Webster]
Whoever envies another confesses his superiority. --Rambler. [1913 Webster]
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. [1913 Webster]
I have seen thee fight, When I have envied thy behavior. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
Jeffrey . . . had actually envied his friends their cool mountain breezes. --Froude. [1913 Webster]
3. To long after; to desire strongly; to covet. [1913 Webster]
Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share. --T. Gray. [1913 Webster]
4. To do harm to; to injure; to disparage. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
If I make a lie To gain your love and envy my best mistress, Put me against a wall. --J. Fletcher. [1913 Webster]
5. To hate. [Obs.] --Marlowe. [1913 Webster]
6. To emulate. [Obs.] --Spenser. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Envy \En"vy\, v. i.
1. To be filled with envious feelings; to regard anything with grudging and longing eyes; -- used especially with at. [1913 Webster]
Who would envy at the prosperity of the wicked? --Jer. Taylor. [1913 Webster]
2. To show malice or ill will; to rail. [Obs.] "He has . . . envied against the people." --Shak. [1913 Webster]