from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Envy \En"vy\, n.; pl. {Envies}. [F. envie, L. invidia envious;
akin to invidere to look askance at, to look with enmity; in
against + videre to see. See {Vision}.]
1. Malice; ill will; spite. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
If he evade us there,
Enforce him with his envy to the people. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. Chagrin, mortification, discontent, or uneasiness at the
sight of another's excellence or good fortune, accompanied
with some degree of hatred and a desire to possess equal
advantages; malicious grudging; -- usually followed by of;
as, they did this in envy of C[ae]sar.
[1913 Webster]
Envy is a repining at the prosperity or good of
another, or anger and displeasure at any good of
another which we want, or any advantage another hath
above us. --Ray.
[1913 Webster]
No bliss
Enjoyed by us excites his envy more. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Envy, to which the ignoble mind's a slave,
Is emulation in the learned or brave. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
3. Emulation; rivalry. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
Such as cleanliness and decency
Prompt to a virtuous envy. --Ford.
[1913 Webster]
4. Public odium; ill repute. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
To lay the envy of the war upon Cicero. --B. Jonson.
[1913 Webster]
5. An object of envious notice or feeling.
[1913 Webster]
This constitution in former days used to be the envy
of the world. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]