envious

adj

Etymology: From Middle English envious, from Anglo-Norman envious, from Old French envieus, envious (modern French envieux), from Latin invidiōsus; more at envy. Doublet of invidious, borrowed directly from Latin. Displaced native Old English æfestiġ.

1. Feeling or exhibiting envy; jealously desiring the excellence or good fortune of another; maliciously grudging.

   “an envious man, disposition, or attack; envious tongues”

   “Fret not thy ſelfe becauſe of euill doers, neither bee thou enuious againſt the workers of iniquitie.”

2. Excessively careful; cautious.

   “for no man was ever so amorous, as to love a toad; none so envious, as to repine at the condition of the miserable”

3. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful.

   “Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch.”

4. Inspiring envy.

   “He to him leapt, and that same envious gage / Of victors glory from him snatcht away.”