avarice
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av·a·rice

noun \ˈa-və-rəs, ˈav-rəs\

Definition of AVARICE

: excessive or insatiable desire for wealth or gain : greediness, cupidity

Examples of AVARICE

  1. The corporate world is plagued by avarice and a thirst for power.
  2. He was driven by avarice.
  3. Adherence to the Baldwin model is usually more a sin of thoughtlessness and convenience than of conscious avarice, though it is always an appropriation of moral power, a stealing of thunder. —Shelby Steele, Harper's, November 2002

Origin of AVARICE

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin avaritia, from avarus avaricious, from avēre to crave — more at avid
First Known Use: 14th century

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