rapacious

[ruh-pey-shuh s] /rəˈpeɪ ʃəs/
adjective
1.
given to seizing for plunder or the satisfaction of greed.
2.
inordinately greedy; predatory; extortionate:
a rapacious disposition.
3.
(of animals) subsisting by the capture of living prey; predacious.
Origin
1645-55; < Latin rapāci- (stem of rapāx greedy, akin to rapere to seize; see rape1) + -ous
Related forms
rapaciously, adverb
rapacity
[ruh-pas-i-tee] /rəˈpæs ɪ ti/ (Show IPA), rapaciousness, noun
unrapacious, adjective
unrapaciously, adverb
unrapaciousness, noun
Synonyms
2. ravenous, voracious, grasping; preying. See avaricious.
Antonyms
2. generous.
Examples from the web for rapacity
  • They make a success on the frontier anyway in whiskey distilling, but lose everything to a landlord of fabulous rapacity.
British Dictionary definitions for rapacity

rapacious

/rəˈpeɪʃəs/
adjective
1.
practising pillage or rapine
2.
greedy or grasping
3.
(of animals, esp birds) subsisting by catching living prey
Derived Forms
rapaciously, adverb
rapacity (rəˈpæsɪtɪ), rapaciousness, noun
Word Origin
C17: from Latin rapāx grasping, from rapere to seize
Word Origin and History for rapacity
n.

1540s, from Middle French rapacité (16c.), from Latin rapacitatem (nominative rapacitas) "greediness," from rapax (genitive rapacis) "grasping, plundering," from rapere "seize" (see rapid).

rapacious

adj.

1650s, from Latin rapaci-, stem of rapax "grasping," itself from stem of rapere "to seize" (see rapacity) + -ous. Related: Rapaciously; rapaciousness.