SuaviloquyToday’s word

coveting

Covet (kvt), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Covered; p. pr. & vb. n. Coveting.] — Webster enters it under “covet”

Etymology: [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 sen 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.

1 other Webster entry under this spelling

Covet, v. i.

To have or indulge inordinate desire. Which [money] while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. 1 Tim. vi. 10.

Shades of meaning

Fernald has no entry of its own for coveting; he lists it under desire.

Where he writes about it:

Coveting ordinarily denotes wrong desire for that which is another's. — from desire