Forms: 3–4 auaris, -ise, 4–5 averyce, -ys, 4–6 -ice, avaryce, 4– avarice. Sc. 5 awarys, awerys, 6 auereis. [a. OF. avarice, ad. L. avāritia, f. avārus greedy: see -ICE.] Inordinate desire of acquiring and hoarding wealth; greediness of gain, cupidity.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 10112. Þe world has tuynne to his ascyse, Þat es auaris, and couaytise.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 671. Coveitise is for to coveit swiche thinges as thou hast not; and avarice is to witholde and kepe swiche thinges as thou hast, without rightful nede.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., VI. xx. 28. Pryd, Falshud, and Covatys He held at wndyr, and Awarys.
1549. Compl. Scotl. (1872), 64. Quhou kyng midas gat tua asse luggis on his hede, be cause of his auereis.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., II. § 13. To me avarice seems not so much a vice, as a deplorable piece of madnesse.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W. (1876), 159. Avarice was his prevailing passion.
1812. Combe (Dr. Syntax), Pictur., x. 36. Pale av’rice may his heart possess, The bane of human happiness.
b. fig. Eager desire to get or keep for oneself.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., ¶ 670. Avarice ne stont not oonly in lond ne in catel, but som tyme in science and in glorie.
1709. Pope, Ess. Crit., 579. Be niggards of advice, on no pretense; For the worst avarice is that of sense.
1764. Goldsm., Trav., 264. And all are taught an avarice of praise.
1775. Burke, Sp. Conc. Amer., Wks. 1842, I. 189. This avarice of desolation, this hoarding of a royal wilderness.
