[f. as prec. + -NESS.]
† 1. Strong or inordinate desire (of). Obs.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, B viij b. Who so for couetesnese of flieng leses the tyme of his hawke mewyng.
1560. Becon, New Catech. (1844), 122. The covetousness of money is the root of all evil.
1588. Greene, Pandosto (1607), 20. At last the couetousnesse of the coyne ouercame him.
1595. Shaks., John, IV. ii. 29. When Workemen striue to do better then wel, They do confound their skill in couetousnesse.
2. Inordinate and culpable desire of possessing that which belongs to another or to which one has no right.
1526–34. Tindale, Mark vii. 22. Oute of the herte of men proceade … theeft, coveteousnes, wickednes.
1553. Eden, Treat. Newe Ind. (Arb.), 34. Declaring the couetousnes of the Spaniardes to be vnsaciable.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. vi. 26. Desire of Riches [is called] Covetousnesse: a name used alwayes in signification of blame.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 54. Casting the eyes of covetousness upon the whole of the property.
1879. M. Arnold, Equality, Mixed Ess. 49. We understand by covetousness the longing for other people’s goods.
