invidia
Definition
Noun: 1. A feeling of resentful or bitter discontent and ill-will aroused by another's qualities, achievements, or possessions; envy, especially when it is considered a sin. This term, often personified, refers to a deep-seated, malicious form of envy that begrudges another person's good fortune.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- His constant bragging about his wealth filled her with a quiet but corrosive invidia.
- In Dante's "Purgatorio," the penitents on the terrace of invidia have their eyes sewn shut with wire as punishment for their sinful envy.
- The political debate was poisoned by personal invidia rather than substantive policy differences.
Advanced Usage
- Personification as a Deadly Sin: In theological and literary contexts, "Invidia" (often capitalized) is personified as one of the Seven Deadly Sins, representing Envy.
- In medieval art, Invidia is frequently depicted as a gaunt, snake-haired woman gnawing on her own heart.
Variants and Related Words
- Envious (adj): Feeling or showing envy.
- She gave him an envious glance.
- Envy (n/v): The more common modern English equivalent for the feeling or the act of feeling it.
- His new car is the envy of the neighborhood. (noun)
- I envy your confidence. (verb)
Synonyms
- Envy: The painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, joined with a desire to possess the same advantage.
- Jealousy: Apprehensive of losing what one possesses to a rival, or resentful of a rival's success. (Note: While often used interchangeably with "envy," "jealousy" traditionally implies a fear of loss, whereas "envy" is a desire for what another has.)
- Resentment: Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly.
- Covetousness: A strong desire to possess something, typically something belonging to someone else.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Green with envy: An idiom meaning extremely envious.
- When she saw her friend's promotion, she was green with envy.
- The evil eye: A look believed to cause harm or bad luck, often associated with envy or malice.
- Superstitious people believe the necklace protects the wearer from the evil eye.
Noun
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spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)