A woman does not envy a man for his fighting
courage, nor a man a woman for her beauty.
--Collier.
Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.
--Rambler.
2. To feel envy on account of; to have a feeling of grief or
repining, with a longing to possess (some excellence or
good fortune of another, or an equal good fortune, etc.);
to look with grudging upon; to begrudge.
I have seen thee fight, When I have envied thy
behavior. --Shak.
Jeffrey . . . had actually envied his friends their
cool mountain breezes. --Froude.
3. To long after; to desire strongly; to covet.
Or climb his knee the envied kiss to share. --T.
Gray.
4. To do harm to; to injure; to disparage. [Obs.]
If I make a lie To gain your love and envy my best
mistress, Put me against a wall. --J. Fletcher.
6. To emulate. [Obs.] --Spenser.