cupidity

American  

[kyoo-pid-i-tee] / kyuˈpɪd ɪ ti /

noun

1. eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed; avarice.

   Synonyms:

   hunger, avidity, covetousness

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cupidity British  

/ kjuːˈpɪdɪtɪ /

noun

1. strong desire, esp for possessions or money; greed

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Other Word Forms

• cupidinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of cupidity

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English cupidite, (from Middle French or directly from Latin cupiditās, equivalent to cupid(us) “eager, desirous” ( cup(ere) “to desire” + -idus -id ⁴ ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The dribbling of classic works into the public domain every year on Jan. 1 may be gratifying, but it also serves to underscore the stupidity and cupidity of our convoluted copyright system.

From Los Angeles Times

Throughout her art, her moving images feature avatars of herself that she endows with a vital mixture of ego and exhaustion, cupidity and love.

From New York Times

Is there today another such clear connection between a party’s particular policy and the party’s cupidity?

From Washington Post

The commission explained that public health policies would “protect one set of human beings from being the victims of disease and death through the selfish cupidity of others.”

From New York Times

St. Augustine said that Christian Scriptures needed to be guided by the “principle of charity”: “Scripture teaches nothing but charity, nor condemns anything but cupidity.”

From New York Times