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usually uncountable, plural covetousnesses
Immoderate desire for the possession of something, especially for wealth. quotations examples
He which will yield to Fear. muſt neceſſarily yield to Covetouſneſs or any inordinate Deſire.
1588, Jean La Placette, Of the Incurable Scepticism of the Church of Rome
Covetouſneſs is the yelow Jaundice of the foul, which ariſes from the over-flowing of the heart with love to yellow gold, by which a Chriſtian is dull'd and deadned.
1661, J. Johnson, The morning-exercise at Cripple-gate
Covetousness prevents all good, and is and inlet and encouragement to evil.
1815, Samuel Lavington, Sermons and other discourses, Volume 1
In obvious compensation and opposition the fear of nothingness becomes the source of covetousness...
1976, Jacques Ellul, The Ethics of Freedom, page 134