a.; also 6 -ycyouse, 6–8 -itious. [a. F. avaricieux, -euse, f. avarice, as if ad. L. *avāritiōsus.] Immoderately desirous of accumulating wealth; greedy of gain, grasping; fig. eager to possess or accumulate.
1474. Caxton, Chesse, III. iv. G j. The auaricious wolf.
1531. Elyot, Gov. (1834), 210. His cruel and avaricious appetite.
1660. R. Coke, Power & Subj., 72. Nor will avaritious rich men fail to pretend poverty.
1762. H. Walpole, Vertue’s Anecd. Paint. (1786), II. 71. Queen Elizabeth was avaricious with pomp; James I. lavish with meanness.
1809. W. Irving, Knickerb., IV. vii. (1849), 230. We are naturally … avaricious after imaginary causes of lamentation.
