from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Envious \En"vi*ous\, a. [OF. envios, F. envieux, fr. L.
invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See {Envy}, and cf.
{Invidious}.]
1. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful. [Obs.]
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Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch.
--Shak.
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2. Feeling or exhibiting envy; actuated or directed by, or
proceeding from, envy; -- said of a person, disposition,
feeling, act, etc.; jealously pained by the excellence or
good fortune of another; maliciously grudging; -- followed
by of, at, and against; as, an envious man, disposition,
attack; envious tongues.
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My soul is envious of mine eye. --Keble.
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Neither be thou envious at the wicked. --Prov. xxiv.
19.
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3. Inspiring envy. [Obs. or Poetic]
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He to him leapt, and that same envious gage
Of victor's glory from him snatched away. --Spenser.
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4. Excessively careful; cautious. [Obs.]
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No men are so envious of their health. --Jer.
Taylor.
-- {En"vi*ous*ly}, adv. -- {En"vi*ous*ness}, n.
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