\En"vi*ous\, a. [OF. envios, F. envieux, fr. L.
invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See {Envy}, and cf.
{Invidious}.]
1. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful. [Obs.]
         Each envious brier his weary legs doth scratch.
                                               --Shak.
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.
         My soul is envious of mine eye.       --Keble.
         Neither be thou envious at the wicked. --Prov. xxiv.
                                               19.
3. Inspiring envy. [Obs. or Poetic]
         He to him leapt, and that same envious gage Of
         victor's glory from him snatched away. --Spenser.
4. Excessively careful; cautious. [Obs.]
         No men are so envious of their health. --Jer.
                                               Taylor.
   -- {En"vi*ous*ly}, adv. -- {En"vi*ous*ness}, n.