3 January 2019
rapacious
[ruh-pey-shuh s]
adjective
given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate:
a rapacious disposition.
(of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.
Origin of rapacious
1645–55; < Latin rapāci- (stem of rapāx greedy, akin to rapere to seize; see rape1) + -ous
Related forms
ra·pa·cious·ly, adverb
ra·pac·i·ty [ruh-pas-i-tee] /rəˈpæs ɪ ti/, ra·pa·cious·ness, noun
un·ra·pa·cious, adjective
un·ra·pa·cious·ly, adverb
un·ra·pa·cious·ness, noun
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
2. ravenous, voracious, grasping; preying.
Synonym study
2. See avaricious.
Antonyms
2. generous.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for rapacity
Contemporary Examples
Even as we cheer for her stamina, we shrink from her rapacity.
Brecht’s Mercenary Mother Courage Turns 75
Katie Baker
September 10, 2014
Historical Examples
His eyes shone with rapacity and hope; he became confidential.
Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard
Joseph Conrad
Her folly and rapacity will sooner or later have their effect.
Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 (Vol 1)
Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
“I don’t know that rapacity is confined to trade,” admitted Annie.
A Houseful of Girls
Sarah Tytler
And the Spaniard here, who has been driven out for his cruelty and rapacity.
A Little Girl in Old Detroit
Amanda Minnie Douglas
With the rapacity Kidd had the cruelty of his odious calling.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.
Thomas Babington Macaulay
Today’s quote
If all the people in this world in which we live, were as selfish as a few of the people in this world in which we live, there would be no world in which to live.
– W.L. Orme
On this day
3 January – the tenth day of the 12 days of Christmas (Western Christianity).
3 January 106BC – birth of Marcus Tullius Cicero (sometimes anglicised as Tully), Roman statesman, politician, philosopher, orator. Tully’s influence on Latin and other European languages was immense and still felt up to the 19th century. The history of prose in Latin and other languages was said to be either a reaction against, or a return to, his style. Died 7 December 43BC.
3 January 1521 – Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther in the papal bull Decet Romanum Pontificem.
3 January 1892 – birth of J.R.R. Tolkien, author of ‘The Hobbit‘ and ‘Lord of the Rings‘. Died 2 September 1973. ‘The road goes ever on … ‘
3 January 1956 – birth of Mel Gibson, Australian actor.
3 January 1962 – Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro.
3 January 1969 – birth of Michael Schumacher, German Formula 1 racing car driver.
3 January 1977 – Apple Computers is incorporated.