envyn.
/ˈɛnvi/, U.S. /ˈɛnvi/ a. Malignant or hostile feeling; ill-will, malice, enmity. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > feeling of spite > [noun]
ondeeOE
teenOE
envyc1300
malicea1325
eftc1325
maugrec1330
spitec1330
malignec1475
wrokea1500
doggedness1530
despitefulness1535
cankeredness1538
venomy1548
livor1589
doggishness1622
viperousness1651
Schadenfreude1895
bitchery1936
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [noun]
ondeeOE
evestOE
teenOE
hatingOE
envyc1300
eftc1325
maugrec1330
spitec1330
malicea1382
despitec1400
unkindnessc1400
malignec1475
wrokea1500
doggedness1530
despitefulness1535
cankeredness1538
venomy1548
livor1589
doggishness1622
viperousness1651
acid1768
Schadenfreude1895
bitchery1936
c1300 Seyn Julian 88 Ich [Belial] made þoru a lutel enuye þat on sle þat oðer.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 15389 Of all venime and eneui ful kindeld vp he ras.
c1400 Ywaine & Gaw. 3522 So grete envy..bitwix tham twa was than.
c1430 Syr Gener. 5266 To him he had so grete envie.
a1529 J. Skelton Magnyfycence (?1530) sig. Fiii Full fewe but they haue enuy at me.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iv. i. 9 No lawfull meanes can carry me out of enuies reach. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Mark xv. 10 For hee knew that the chiefe Priests had deliuered him for enuie . View more context for this quotation
1640 W. Habington Queen of Arragon ii. i, in W. C. Hazlitt Dodsley's Sel. Coll. Old Eng. Plays (1875) XIII. 355 Misfortune brings Sorrow enough; 'tis envy to ourselves T'augment it by prediction.
1707 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus II. xi. 13 In Naseby-Fields both Armies met, Their Envy, like their Numbers, great.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > unwillingness > [noun]
un-i-willa1225
unlustc1230
dangerc1290
loathnessa1300
thronessa1400
grudgingc1420
nilling?a1425
unlustiness?a1425
loathinessc1449
difficulty?c1450
grudge1477
sticking1525
scruple1526
unreadiness1526
sweerness1533
dangerousness1548
untowardnessa1555
envy1557
loathsomeness1560
retractation1563
stickling1589
indisposition1593
loathfulness1596
backwardness1597
unwillingness1597
reluctation1598
offwardness1600
undisposedness1600
hinka1614
reluctancy1621
reluctancea1628
renitence1640
nolencea1651
nolencya1651
indisposedness1651
shyness1651
nolition1653
costiveness1654
sullenness1659
scrupling1665
regret1667
queerness1687
stickiness1689
disinclination1695
uneasinessa1715
tarditude1794
disclination1812
inalacrity1813
grudgingness1820
tarrowing1832
reticence1863
grudgery1889
balkiness1894
safety first1913
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 185v/1 For speaking the truth: the man which hath enuy to seme olde doth delite to liue in the lightnes of youth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > unpopularity > [noun]
envy1598
invidiousness1694
unpopularity1716
non-popularity1834
1598 R. Grenewey tr. Tacitus Annales i. x. 19 As well the fact, as the enuie of it, should light vpon their owne necks.
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 100 This Taxe (called Benevolence) was deuised by Edward the Fourth, for which hee sustained much Enuie.
1651 in T. Fuller Abel Redevivus 278 This accident procured great envie unto Calvin from all places.
1679 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation: 1st Pt. ii. 62 He had the Legates between him and the Envy or Odium of it.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > [noun]
burstc1000
harmOE
scatheOE
teenOE
evil healc1175
waningc1175
hurt?c1225
quede?c1225
balec1275
damage1300
follyc1300
grill13..
ungain13..
torferc1325
eviltyc1330
wem1338
impairment1340
marring1357
unhend1377
sorrowc1380
pairingc1384
pairmentc1384
mischiefc1385
offencec1385
appairment1388
hindering1390
noyinga1398
bresta1400
envya1400
wemminga1400
gremec1400
wilc1400
blemishing1413
lesion?a1425
nocument?a1425
injuryc1430
mischieving1432
hindrance1436
detrimenta1440
ill1470
untroth1470
diversity1484
remordc1485
unhappinessc1485
grudge1491
wriguldy-wrag?1520
danger1530
dishort1535
perishment1540
wreaka1542
emperishment1545
impeachment1548
indemnity1556
impair1568
spoil1572
impeach1575
interestc1575
emblemishing1583
mishap1587
endamagement1593
blemishment1596
mischievance1600
damnificationa1631
oblesion1656
mishanter1754
vitiation1802
mar1876
jeel1887
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > harmful mischievousness > harmful mischief > [noun]
quede?c1225
follyc1300
unhend1377
envya1400
untroth1470
diversity1484
unhappinessc1485
wriguldy-wrag?1520
jeel1887
a1400 Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) 199 Envye doe by no woman, To doe her shame by nighte nor daie.
c1460 Battle Otterbourne in Percy Reliq. 46 Yf thou hast haryed all Bamborowe shyre, Thou hast done me grete envye.
c1475 (?c1400) Apol. Lollard Doctr. (1842) 26 Discese & oþer enuyes.
3. † b. In the phrase to envy, i.e. to such a point as to excite envy; to the heart's content; to admiration; to perfection. Obsolete. Cf. 5.Perhaps suggested by French à l'envi, emulously, which is of different etymology. Cf. envy v.2, to which the first quot. may belong.
a. The feeling of mortification and ill-will occasioned by the contemplation of superior advantages possessed by another. Const. †at, of, †to, †upon (persons), at, of (things). Phrases, to feel (†have) envy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > jealousy or envy > [noun] > envy
evestOE
envyc1280
envioustya1382
viea1400
grudgingc1420
invyc1440
emulation1561
enviousness1561
envying1587
grudgement1845
begrudgery1874
c1280 Fall & Passion in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 13 To him þe deuil had envie, þat he in his stid schold be broȝte.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter ii. 10 Enuye couaitis, iolifte & oþer vices.
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. xxiii. 246 Haueþ non enuye To lerede ne to lewide.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. l. 27694 If þou þorou þine enuy. has ani man wroied wrangewisly.
c1405 (c1385) G. Chaucer Knight's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 49 Haue ye so greet envie Of myn honour.
a1440 Relig. Pieces fr. Thornton MS. 23 Envy..es joye of oþer mens harme and sorowe of oþer mens welefare.
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 103 Zethephius began to haue enuye vpon the king Appollo.
?1529 R. Hyrde tr. J. L. Vives Instr. Christen Woman ii. ix. sig. i.ij It is moche more shame to haue enuie at other for money, clothynges, or possessions.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 143 Invy at our brothers charitie.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. Pref. 2 Enuie striketh most spitefully at the fairest.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) v. v. 69 All the Conspirators saue onely hee, Did that they did, in enuy of great Cæsar. View more context for this quotation
1684 Winstanley in C. M. Ingleby & L. T. Smith Shakespeare's Cent. Prayse (1879) 400 Honour is always attended on by Envy.
1737 W. Whiston tr. Josephus Antiq. Jews i. xviii, in tr. Josephus Genuine Wks. 25 He was hindred..by his envy at him.
1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 194 Envy—Punishing ourselves for being inferior to our neighbours.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) V. 75 Let every man contend in the race without envy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > perfection > [adverb]
fullfremedlyOE
to envyc1369
to a wish1390
perfectlyc1395
consummately1529
sincerely1583
to the (also a) nail?1611
like a tansy1619
magisterially1625
(up) to the nines (rarely nine)?1719
puffickly1858
quintessentially1866
to the (also a) queen's taste1880
A-OK1961
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 173 They had good leyser for to route To envye, who might slepe beste.
1653 tr. S. Przypkowski Dissertatio de Pace vii. 36 That contemplation, happy even to envie, awaiteth us in the heavens.
1668 S. Pepys Diary 11 Mar. (1976) IX. 113 Captain Cocke..told me..that the Sollicitor generall doth commend me even to envy.
c. plural. Instances of envy; envious feelings, jealousies; rivalries.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > jealousy or envy > [noun]
downcrying1575
envying1587
envies1622
jaundice1629
1622 F. Bacon Hist. Raigne Henry VII 239 Little Enuies or Emulations upon Forraine Princes.
1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 31 The little envies of them [sc. women] to one another.
1888 Poor Nellie 26 Whilst..our statesmen inflame the mean envies of classes.
d. concrete. The object of envy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > jealousy or envy > [noun] > envy > object of envy
envy1836
1836 E. Bulwer-Lytton Duchess de la Vallière iii. ii Duchess la Vallière..The envy of the beauty and the birth Of Europe's court.
4. Without notion of malevolence:† a. Desire to equal another in achievement or excellence; emulation. Obsolete. rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > [noun]
rivality1528
strife1530
envy1541
emulation1552
contention1576
pinglinga1578
countermatch1581
paragon1590
competency1594
corrivality1598
rivalry1598
concurrence1603
contestation1603
competitiona1608
rivalling1607
concurrency1609
strift1612
corrivalry1614
rivalty1631
contest1648
corrivalty1649
coping1678
co-rivalry1835
rivalism1850
1541 T. Elyot Image of Gouernance xxxiii. f. 77v His aduancement shall ingender in noble men an honest enuy.
1606–35 Ford in Webster's New Internat. Dict. Eng. Lang. (1890) Such as cleanliness and decency Prompt to a virtuous envy.
b. A longing for the advantages enjoyed by another person.
ΚΠ
?1725 A. Pope Corr. 12 Aug. (1956) II. 315 My innocent Envies and Wishes of your State.
1891 N.E.D. at Envy Mod. Your success excites my envy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun]
i-willc888
wilningc888
willingeOE
lustc950
listc1220
desire1303
affection1340
desiring1377
appetite1382
envya1400
wishc1430
desideryc1450
stomach1513
affect1531
wilnec1540
desirefulness1548
woulding1549
desirousness1571
ambition1579
lusting1580
listing1587
maw1601
appetition1603
appetence1610
bosoma1616
orexis1619
desirableness1649
appetency1656
would1753
wanting1801
want-to1903
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 2240 Þese foles..wiþ greet envye þis werk bigon.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Myrrour of Worlde i. v. 19 And had enuye at none other thinge, but only for to lerne suche science.
a1500 (?c1400) Sir Triamour (Cambr.) (1937) l. 341 They rode forthe wyth grete envy To seke aftur the quene.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 334 Vnciuilized men, do participate in their conditions, the labors and enuy of brute beasts.
6. In the following quots. enuy is probably a mere misprint for enemy. Cf. envyte n.
ΚΠ
c1430 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (1544) i. ix. 16 b Ye great sodein fall Of mighty Jabin for his iniquitie Which unto Jewes was enuy [1494 enmy] full mortall.
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 83 Greater is thy credite in sustayninge wronge then thy enuyes in committinge iniurie.
Compounds
In combinations.
ΚΠ
1817 S. T. Coleridge Biogr. Lit. 26 He must be envy-mad.
1871 F. T. Palgrave Lyrical Poems 135 Judges with envy-dim eye.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
envyv.1
/ˈɛnvi/, U.S. /ˈɛnvi/ 1. transitive. To feel displeasure and ill-will at the superiority of (another person) in happiness, success, reputation, or the possession of anything desirable; to regard with discontent another's possession of (some superior advantage which one would like to have for oneself). Also in less unfavourable sense: To wish oneself on a level with (another) in happiness or in the possession of something desirable; to wish oneself possessed of (something which another has).
a. with object a thing; †(rarely) with object clause.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > jealousy or envy > be jealous or envious of [verb (transitive)] > envy
envyc1386
invy1483
grudgea1577
malign1589
c1386 G. Chaucer Wife of Bath's Prol. 142 I nyl nat enuye no virginitee.
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 254 Every worship is envied.
1595 W. C[larke] in C. M. Ingleby & L. T. Smith Shakespeare's Cent. Prayse (1879) 15 Let other countries (sweet Cambridge) envie..thy petrarch, divine Spenser.
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 72 I..owe no man hate, enuie no mans happinesse. View more context for this quotation
c1632 in Athenæum 27 Jan. (1883) 121/3 Eolus such monstrous wracks envyes.
1696 W. Whiston New Theory of Earth iv. 292 We have but too much reason to envy the Ancient Happiness of our Forefathers.
1728 T. Sheridan tr. Persius Satyrs (1739) iii. 49 Do not envy that the wealthy Lawyer increases his Stores beyond you by Knavery and Oppression.
1857 J. Ruskin Polit. Econ. Art i. 4 A power, not indeed to be envied, because it seldom makes us happy.
b. with object a person.
ΚΠ
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. MMiii Thou shalt..mollifye his herte that enuyeth the.
1546 J. Heywood Dialogue Prouerbes Eng. Tongue i. xi. sig. Diiv Sonne, better be enuied then pitied, folke sey.
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII ii. ii. 127 They will not sticke to say, you enuide him. View more context for this quotation
1741 C. Middleton Hist. Life Cicero II. x. 458 I envy him for walking, and joking with you.
1841 R. W. Emerson Heroism in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 265 Who does not envy them who have seen safely to an end their manful endeavour?
1872 J. Ruskin Eagle's Nest §34 We may be envied, but shall not be praised, for having been allowed, etc.
c. with double object, person and thing.
ΚΠ
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. i. 20 I envy your friend those tears.
1807 G. Crabbe Parish Reg. i, in Poems 55 Ah! much I envy thee, thy boys.
a. To feel a grudge against (a person); to regard (a person or an action) with dislike or disapproval. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > indignation or resentment > be indignant at or resent [verb (transitive)]
to take in (also on, to) griefc1325
to bear (a person or thing) hard (also heavily, heavy, etc.)c1384
to take agrief?a1400
disdaina1513
stomach1523
to take it amiss1530
to have a grudge against (to, at)1531
to think amiss1533
envy1557
to take‥in (the) snuff (or to snuff)1560
to take snuff1565
to take scorn1581
to take indignly1593
to bear (one) upon (also in) the spleen1596
spleena1629
disresent1652
indign1652
miff1797
pin1934
1557 T. North tr. A. de Guevara Diall Princes f. 105v/2 I knowe well, Faustine, that for that I haue sayed..thou and others suche lyke, shall greatlye enuye me.
?1577 J. Northbrooke Spiritus est Vicarius Christi: Treat. Dicing 129 Bicause you are aged, and nowe are not able to doe as other yong men and women do, and this maketh you to enuy it so much.
1602 W. Warner Epitome Hist. Eng. in Albions Eng. (rev. ed.) 388 Much was this distraction of Regalitie from Richard the second enuied by those of his Lyne and Affinitie.
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 553 The Grand Seignior doth much envie him [Emir of Sidon] for suffering the Florentines to harbour and water within his Port of Tyrus.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > harm, injury, or wrong > harm, injure, or commit offence against [verb (transitive)]
misdoc1230
forworkc1275
wrongc1330
to do (one) spite or a spitec1380
to commit (also do, make) an offencec1384
offenda1387
unrighta1393
to do disease toc1400
injuryc1484
offence1512
misfease1571
watcha1586
injure1597
envya1625
disserve1637
hinder1639
disservice1837
serve1887
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > [verb (transitive)] > to person or thing
werdec725
wemc900
forworkOE
evilc1000
teenOE
grievec1230
misdoc1230
mischievec1325
shond1338
endamagec1374
unrighta1393
damagea1400
disvail14..
disavail1429
mischief1437
outrayc1440
prejudice1447
abuse?1473
injuryc1484
danger1488
prejudicate1553
damnify?a1562
wrack1562
inviolate1569
mislestc1573
indemnify1583
qualify1584
interess1587
buse1589
violence1592
injure1597
bane1601
envya1625
prejudiciala1637
founder1655
a1625 J. Fletcher Pilgrim ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Gggggv/2 If I make a lie To gaine your love, and envy my best Mistris, Pin me against a wall.
a. transitive. To grudge, give reluctantly, refuse to give (a thing) to (a person); to begrudge (a thing); to treat (a person) grudgingly. Also absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > retaining > niggardliness or meanness > be niggardly of [verb (transitive)] > grudge
begrudgec1390
grutchc1400
strange1439
grudgec1500
envy1585
1585 Abp. E. Sandys Serm. xii. 189 God hath not enuied vs, he oweth vs nothing, but hee giueth vs much.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. v. sig. Gg7v But that sweet Cordiall..She did to him enuy.
1600 R. Surflet tr. C. Estienne & J. Liébault Maison Rustique i. xix. 116 The dung of peacockes is very soueraigne against the diseases of the eies..but the peacocke so much enuieth the good of man, that he eateth his owne dung.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 494 Thou has fulfill'd Thy words, Creator bounteous..nor enviest . View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 517 Why should thir Lord Envie them that? View more context for this quotation
1693 J. Dryden Disc. conc. Satire in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires p. ii Jonson, who by studying Horace, had been acquainted with the Rules, yet seem'd to envy to Posterity that Knowledge.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 25 We ought..to make our own Advantage of that Knowledge, and not to envy it to others.
1770 J. Langhorne & W. Langhorne tr. Plutarch Lives (1879) II. 785/2 Thou enviedst me the glory of giving thee thy life.
ΚΠ
c1430 J. Lydgate Story of Thebes iii For euery man of high and lowe degree Enuieth now, that other should thrive.
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John f. 40v Enuying that God shoulde haue his owne prayse and glory.
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. F4v Antiquity enuieth there should be new additions. View more context for this quotation
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. ii. 135 Magnano..did envy That two should with so many men vye.
1682 T. D'Urfey Butler's Ghost 176 Envying that he should ground his fame on Deeds so Essential to his Honour.
a. intransitive. To have envious, grudging, or malevolent feelings. Sometimes with the occasion of the feeling expressed by infinitive to envy at = senses 1 – 3. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > invective or abuse > utter invective or abuse [verb (intransitive)]
railc1475
envy1477
inveigh1529
blaspheme1584
invect1614
invectivate1624
to cast, throw, or fling dirt1642
ran-tan1660
philippicize1799
to fire a broadside1827
tirade1871
diatribe1893
rort1931
foul-mouth1960
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 26v To be enuied at of mightier men then he is.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Gal. iv. f. xvi Whose libertie they enuye at.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 73 But now I enuie at their libertie. View more context for this quotation
1649 J. Milton Εικονοκλαστης iv. 30 The King..envying to see the Peoples love thus devolv'd on another object.
1656 A. Cowley Life & Fame in Pindaric Odes (1687) ii Oh Life! that epicures envy to hear!
1658 J. Coles tr. G. de Costes de La Calprenède Hymen's Preludia: 7th Pt. vii. 271 Those to whom this fortune is denied have so much cause to envie at it, etc.
a1677 I. Barrow Wks. (1686) III. 434 Envying at those who have more worldly advantages.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite iii, in Fables 50 Envy'd to behold The Names of others, not their own inroll'd.
ΚΠ
1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) Num. xi. 29 What, he seith, enuyest thow for me [L. æmularis pro me].
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
† envyv.2
a. intransitive. To vie, contend for mastery.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete or rival [verb (intransitive)]
envyc1369
to try (also play, prove, etc.) masteriesa1393
strive?c1450
pingle?a1513
marrow1567
corrive1586
contend1589
tilt1589
to drop vie(s)1599
to prove conclusions1601
to try (a) conclusion1601
rival1608
wage1608
campa1614
vie1615
buzzle1638
side1641
rival1656
urge1691
compete1796
rivalize1800
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 406 As thogh the erthe enuye wolde To be gayer than the heuen.
1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 141 For that she wolde envien, lo, To pypen bet than Appollo.
b. transitive. To vie with, seek to rival.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > dissent > competition or rivalry > compete with [verb (transitive)]
couple1477
envy1509
contend1577
counterscore1577
paragona1586
corrive1586
emulate1586
emule1595
corrival1601
vie1602
rival1607
vie1607
contesta1616
antagonize1634
cope with1651
to break a lance with1862
1509 S. Hawes Pastime of Pleasure (1845) xiv. 56 My mayster Lydgate I wyll not envy.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. ii. sig. B5 Each others equall puissaunce enuies.
a1625 J. Fletcher Island Princesse i. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Nnn/1 Each tree As if it envied the old Paradice.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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n.c1280v.11382
v.2c1369