Definition: avarice

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

avarice
     n 1: reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
          (personified as one of the deadly sins) [syn: greed, covetousness,
           rapacity, avaritia]
     2: extreme greed for material wealth [syn: avariciousness, covetousness,
         cupidity]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Avarice \Av"a*rice\ ([a^]v"[.a]*r[i^]s), n. [F. avaritia, fr.
   avarus avaricious, prob. fr. av[=e]re to covet, fr. a root av
   to satiate one's self: cf. Gr. 'a`menai, 'a^sai, to satiate,
   Skr. av to satiate one's self, rejoice, protect.]
   1. An excessive or inordinate desire of gain; greediness
      after wealth; covetousness; cupidity.

            To desire money for its own sake, and in order to
            hoard it up, is avarice.              --Beattie.

   2. An inordinate desire for some supposed good.

            All are taught an avarice of praise.  --Goldsmith.