envy definition

1. To feel envy at or towards; to be envious of; to have a feeling of uneasiness or mortification in regard to (any one), arising from the sight of another's excellence or good fortune and a longing to possess it. "A woman does not envy a man for his fighting courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty." (Collier) "Whoever envies another confesses his superiority." (Rambler)

2. To feel envy on account of; to have a feeling of grief or repining, with a longing to possess (some excellence or good fortune of another, or an equal good fortune, etc); to look with grudging upon; to begrudge. "I have seen thee fight, When I have envied thy behavior." (Shak) "Jeffrey . . . Had actually envied his friends their cool mountain breezes." (Froude)

3. To long after; to desire strongly; to covet. "Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share." (T. Gray)

4. To do harm to; to injure; to disparage. "If I make a lie To gain your love and envy my best mistress, Put me against a wall." (J. Fletcher)

5. To hate.

6. To emulate.

Origin: F. Envier.