envious

a. [ OF. envios, F. envieux, fr. L. invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See Envy, and cf. Invidious. ] 1. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

My soul is envious of mine eye. Keble. [ 1913 Webster ]

Neither be thou envious at the wicked. Prov. xxiv. 19. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Inspiring envy. [ Obs. or Poetic ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He to him leapt, and that same envious gage
Of victor's glory from him snatched away. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Excessively careful; cautious. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

No men are so envious of their health. Jer. Taylor.

-- En"vi*ous*ly, adv. -- En"vi*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]