en·vy ( n v )n. pl. en·vies 1. a. A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another. b. The object of such feeling: Their new pool made them the envy of their neighbors. 2. Obsolete Malevolence. tr.v. en·vied, en·vy·ing, en·vies 1. To feel envy toward. 2. To regard with envy. [Middle English envie, from Old French, from Latin invidia, from invidus, envious, from invid re, to look at with envy : in-, in, on; see en-1 + vidre, to see; see weid- in Indo-European roots. V., from Middle English envien, from Old French envier, from Latin invidre.]en vi·er n.en vy·ing·ly adv.Synonyms: envy, begrudge, covet These verbs mean to feel resentful or painful desire for another's advantages or possessions. Envy, the most general, combines discontent, resentment, and desire: "When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals" (Walt Whitman). Begrudge stresses ill will and reluctance to acknowledge another's right or claim: Why begrudge him his success? Covet stresses a secret or culpable longing for something to which one has no right: "We hate no people and covet no people's lands" (Wendell L. Willkie). |
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