45.3.
GREED
greedy |ˈgrēdē|
adjective ( greedier , greediest )
having or showing an intense and selfish desire for
something, esp. wealth or power : greedy thieves who plundered a defense
contractor.
• having an excessive desire or appetite for food.
DERIVATIVES
greedily |-dəlē| adverb
greediness noun
ORIGIN Old English grǣdig, of Germanic origin.
THE RIGHT WORD
The desire for money and the things it can buy is often
associated with Americans. But not all Americans are greedy, which implies an
insatiable desire to possess or acquire something, beyond what one needs or
deserves (: greedy for profits). Greedy is especially derogatory when the
object of longing is itself evil or when it cannot be possessed without harm to
oneself or others (: a reporter greedy for information).
Someone who is greedy for food might be called gluttonous,
which emphasizes consumption as well as desire (: a gluttonous appetite for
sweets).