[‘ Excessive covetousness, avarice, or greed.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌplɪəˈnɛksɪə/, U.S. /ˌpliəˈnɛksiə/
Etymology: < post-classical Latin /pleonexia/ avarice, greed (16th cent.) or its etymon ancient Greek /πλεονεξία/ greed, arrogance ( < /πλεονέκτης/ (see pleonectic adj.) + /-ία/ -ia suffix1).
Compare earlier use of ancient Greek /πλεονεξία/ in an English context:
/a/1664 I. Ambrose /Prima/ (1737) v. 56 Some Criticks observe very well, that the Word in the Original is Pleonexia, which is not Covetousness properly, but inordinate Desire.
a/1843 F. W. P. Greenwood /Serm. to Children/ (1868) 133, I want here the Greek’s terser tongue, and the privilege to cry, /pleonexia,—have more.
Excessive covetousness, avarice, or greed.
1858 R. G. Mayne /Expos. Lexicon Med. Sci./ (1860) 977/2 /Pleonexia/, term for greediness, grasping selfishness, overbearing temper or arrogance, regarded as mental disease.
1892 /Daily News/ 4 Nov. 5/3 Competitive, grasping fellows, cursed with the vice of pleonexia, of wanting more than their share.
1921 /Public Opinion/ 22 July 74/2 The stimulas [/sic/] which it gives to Covetousness or pleonexia.
1990 /Heritage Found. Rep./ (Nexis) 19 Sept., This latter instance of federal pleonexia had to do with children’s nightwear.