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illustration Cupidity

Cupidity

[kyoo-PIH-də-tee]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Latin, 15th century

1.

Intense desire for riches and wealth

2.

Form of greed; desire to possess more than one needs

Examples of Cupidity in a sentence

"He grew up poor, and his cupidity propelled him to go after the most lucrative jobs."

"Newly wealthy people often fall victim to cupidity, acquiring cars, clothes, jewelry and houses to display their riches."

About Cupidity

The star of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" was known for his extreme greed and cupidity. After the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future came to visit him he changed his ways. Now if only these lessons could be applied to your stingy relatives.

Did you Know?

You might think of red hearts when you see this word, and cupidity does share a root with the winged baby shooting love arrows. Cupidus is Latin for desirous.

illustration Cupidity

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