01 a. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful.
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1.
Malignant; mischievous; spiteful.[Obs.]“Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch.” — Shak.
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2.
Feeling or exhibiting envy; actuated or directed by, or proceeding from, envy; -- said of a person, disposition, feeling, act, etc.; jealously pained by the excellence or good fortune of another; maliciously grudging; -- followed by of, at, and against; as, an envious man, disposition, attack; envious tongues.“My soul is envious of mine eye.” — Keble.“Neither be thou envious at the wicked.” — Prov. xxiv. 19.
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3.
Inspiring envy.[Obs. or Poetic]“He to him leapt, and that same envious gage Of victor's glory from him snatched away.” — Spenser.
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4.
Excessively careful; cautious.[Obs.]“No men are so envious of their health.” — Jer. Taylor.