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Envy
Envy (from Latin invidia) is an emotion which “occurs when a person lacks another’s superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes that the other lacked it”.Aristotle defined envy as pain at the sight of another’s good fortune, stirred by “those who have what we ought to have.” Bertrand Russell said that envy was one of the most potent causes of unhappiness. Not only is the envious person rendered unhappy by his or her envy, Russell explained, but that person may also wish to inflict misfortune on others, in forms of emotional abuse and violent acts of criminality. Although envy is generally seen as something negative, Russell also believed that envy was a driving force behind the movement of economies and must be endured to achieve the “keep up with Jones” system. He believed this is what helps to maintain democracy, a system where no one can achieve more than anyone else.
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Envy (noun)
Resentful desire of something possessed by another or others (but not limited to material possessions). from 13thc.
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Envy (noun)
An object of envious notice or feeling.
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Envy (noun)
Hatred, enmity, ill-feeling. 14th-18thc.
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Envy (noun)
Emulation; rivalry.
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Envy (noun)
Public odium; ill repute.
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Envy (verb)
To feel displeasure or hatred towards (someone) for their good fortune or possessions. from 14th c.
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Envy (verb)
To have envious feelings (at). 15th-18th c.
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Envy (verb)
To give (something) to (someone) grudgingly or reluctantly; to begrudge. 16th-18th c.
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Envy (verb)
To show malice or ill will; to rail.
“He has…envied against the people.”
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Envy (verb)
To do harm to; to injure; to disparage.
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Envy (verb)
To hate.
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Envy (verb)
To emulate.
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Covet (verb)
To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of, often enviously.
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Covet (verb)
To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).
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Covet (verb)
To yearn; to have or indulge an inordinate desire, especially for another’s possession.
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Envy (noun)
a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck
“she felt a twinge of envy for the people on board”
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Envy (noun)
a person or thing that inspires envy
“France has a film industry that is the envy of Europe”
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Envy (verb)
desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable thing belonging to (someone else)
“I envy Jane her happiness”
“he envied people who did not have to work at the weekends”
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Envy (verb)
desire for oneself (something belonging to another)
“a lifestyle which most of us would envy”
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Covet (verb)
yearn to possess (something, especially something belonging to another)
“I covet one of their smart bags”