Covet definition | Dictionary.com

cov⋅et

[kuhv-it]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others: to covet another's property.

2.	to wish for, esp. eagerly: He won the prize they all coveted.

–verb (used without object)

3.	to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

Origin:
1175–1225; ME coveiten < AF coveiter, OF coveit(i)er < VL *cupidiētāre, v. deriv. of *cupidiētās, for L cupititās cupidity

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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Language Translation for : Covet

Spanish:

codiciar,

German:

begehren,

Japanese:

むやみに欲しがる

View 23 other languages »

cov·et   (kŭv'ĭt) Pronunciation Key
v.   cov·et·ed, cov·et·ing, cov·ets

v.   tr.

To feel blameworthy desire for (that which is another's). See Synonyms at envy.
To wish for longingly. See Synonyms at desire.

v. intr.
To feel immoderate desire for that which is another's.

[Middle English coveiten, from Old French coveitier, from covitie, desire, from Latin cupiditās, from cupidus, desirous, from cupere, to desire.]

cov'et·a·ble adj., cov'et·er n., cov'et·ing·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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covet

c.1225, from O.Fr. coveitier, probably ult. from L. cupiditas "passionate desire," from cupidus "very desirous," from cupere "long for, desire."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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covet
verb
wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person); "She covets her sister's house"

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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Covet

Con*cu"pis*cent\, a. [L. concupiscens, p. pr. of concupiscere, v. incho. of concupere to long for; con- + cupere. See Covet.] Having sexual lust; libidinous; lustful; lecherous; salacious. --Johnson.

Covet

Cov"et\ (k?v"?t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered; p. pr. & vb. n. Coveting.] [OF. coveitier, covoitier, F. convoiter, from a derivative fr. L. cupere to desire; cf. Skr. kup to become excited. Cf. Cupidity.]

1. To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of; -- used in a good sense.

Covet earnestly the best gifts. --1. Cor. xxii. 31.

If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive. --Shak.

2. To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. --Ex. xx. 17.

Syn: To long for; desire; hanker after; crave.