covet

Covet is a verb meaning to have a strong, often inordinate, desire to possess something that belongs to someone else. The term carries a moral or disapproving tone in many contexts, and it is frequently encountered in religious, ethical, and literary usage. Coveting can refer to wealth, property, or relationships, and it implies a wish to obtain something contrary to accepted norms or boundaries.

Etymology and forms: Covet derives from Middle English coveten, from Old French covetier or covoter, ultimately from Latin concupere, meaning to desire eagerly (con- intensifier + cupere to desire). The related adjective covetous describes a greedy or grasping disposition, and covetousness denotes the state or quality of such desire. The noun covet may appear in some linguistic or legal discussions, though coveting is primarily treated as a verb used with a direct object.

Usage and context: In religious traditions, coveting is highlighted as a disordered desire, most famously in the biblical commandment “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, wife, or goods.” In secular writing, covet often appears in moral, philosophical, or literary analyses to illustrate greed, envy, or temptation. It is typically used to describe a negative impulse, rather than a neutral wish.

See also: covetous, covetousness, envy, greed, desire.