Cov″et‐ous (k?v″?t–?s), a. [OF. coveitos, F. convoiteux. See Covet, v. t.] 1. Very desirous; eager to obtain; — used in a good sense.
Covetous of wisdom and fair virtue.
Shak.
Covetous death bereaved us all,
To aggrandize one funeral.
Emerson.
2. Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess (esp. money); avaricious; — in a bad sense.
The covetous person lives as if the world were madealtogether for him, and not he for the world.
South.
Syn. — Avaricious; parsimonious; penurious; misrely; niggardly. See Avaricious.