Cupidity
Noun
Definition: Greed for money or possessions.
Synonyms: Avarice, Greed, Covetousness
Antonyms: Contentment, Generosity
Examples:
- His unbridled cupidity led him to engage in unethical business practices.
- The company's cupidity drove them to exploit their workers for higher profits.
Mnemonics:
- Cupidity can be thought of as 'cupidity for cups of gold', representing an excessive desire for wealth.
Etymology:
Origin:
The word cupidity is derived from the Latin word 'cupiditas', meaning desire or longing.
Historical Usage:The term emerged from the Middle English period, primarily associated with excessive desire for wealth and possessions.
Misconceptions:
Misconception:
Cupidity is often confused with ambition or aspiration.
Explanation:While ambition may involve a strong desire for success or achievement, cupidity specifically refers to an excessive or greedy desire for material wealth or possessions.