avarulous

Avarulous is an adjective used to describe acts, attitudes, or entities characterized by extreme greed or acquisitiveness. The term derives from Latin avarus 'greedy' with the English -ulous suffix, fitting into a family of adjectives ending in -ulous. Its use is attested in the late 19th century in critical or satirical writing, though it remains relatively rare today.

In usage, avarulous often carries a negative connotation, applying to individuals, organizations, or policies that prioritize material gain over ethical considerations or social welfare. It can describe behavior that is grasping, mercenary, or excessively profit-driven, sometimes in contexts of business, politics, or finance. The term is distinct from avaricious, which is more common and can appear in everyday discourse; avarulous tends to appear in formal, literary, or analytical writing to emphasize stinginess or systemic greed.

Noun forms include avarulousness, used to denote the quality or degree of avarulous behavior. The adverb form is rarely used; the adjective remains the primary form in modern texts.

Examples: a government criticized for avarulous land deals; a corporation's avarulous pursuit of tax advantages drew public ire.

As with related terms, usage should consider tone to avoid pejorative overreach.

See also: avarice, greed, covetousness, rapacity.