Cov"et*ous*ness, n. 1. Strong desire. [R.]

When workmen strive to do better than well,
They do confound their skill in covetousness.
Shak.

2. A strong or inordinate desire of obtaining and possessing some supposed good; excessive desire for riches or money; -- in a bad sense.

Covetousness, by a greed of getting more, deprivess itself of the true end of getting.
Sprat.

Syn. -- Avarice; cupidity; eagerness.