[a. OF. envier:—L. invitāre to challenge, INVITE. Cf. the aphetic form VIE.
The identity in form and close resemblance in sense between this and prec. render it prob. that the two words were confused even in the earliest use; the examples in 16–17th c. may perh. belong to ENVY v.1]
a. intr. To vie, contend for mastery. b. trans. To vie with, seek to rival.
c. 1369. Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 406. As thogh the erthe enuye wolde To be gayer than the heuen. Ibid. (1384), H. Fame, III. 141. For that she wolde envien, lo, To pypen bet than Appollo.
1509. Hawes, Past. Pleas., XIV. xvi. (1845), 56. My mayster Lydgate I wyll not envy.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. ii. 17. Each others equall puissance enuies.
1621. Fletcher, Isl. Princess, I. ii. Each tree As if it envied the old Paradice.
