covetousness

Etymology

covetous +‎ -ness

Noun

covetousness (usually uncountable, plural covetousnesses)

1. Immoderate desire for the possession of something, especially for wealth.
   • 1588: La Placette, Jean Of the Incurable Scepticism of the Church of Rome

     He which will yield to Fear. muſt neceſſarily yield to Covetouſneſs or any inordinate Deſire.

   • 1661: Johnson, J. The morning-exercise at Cripple-gate

     Covetouſneſs is the yelow Jaundice of the foul, which ariſes from the over-flowing of the heart with love to yellow gold, by which a Chriſtian is dull'd and deadned.

   • 1815: Lavington, Samuel Sermons and other discourses, Volume 1

     Covetousness prevents all good, and is and inlet and encouragement to evil.

   • 1976: Ellul, Jacques The Ethics of Freedom page 134

     In obvious compensation and opposition the fear of nothingness becomes the source of covetousness...