covet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person)
    • She covets her sister's house

WordNet

Cov"et transitive verb
Etymology
OF. coveitier, covoitier, F. convoiter, from a derivative fr. L. cupere to desire; cf. Skr. kup to become excited. Cf. Cupidity.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Covered; present participle & verbal noun Coveting
Definitions
  1. To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of; -- used in a good sen.
    Covet earnestly the best gifts. 1. Cor. xxii. 31.
    If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive. Shak.
  2. To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).
    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house. Ex. xx. 17.
Cov"et intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To have or indulge inordinate desire.
    Which [money] while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith. 1 Tim. vi. 10.

Webster 1913