I.gen. plur. fem. avarūm, Plaut. Truc. 2, 8, 9 dub.; Speng., aurum) [1. aveo, Gell. 10, 5, 13], eagerly desirous of something, esp. of possessions, avaricious, covetous, greedy (opp. largus, Quadrig. ap. Non. p. 510, 20: avarum et avidum ita discernuntur: avarum semper in reprehensione est; “avidum autem malis aliquando, aliquando bonis adjungitur,” Non. p. 442, 12 sq.; v. II.; syn.: avidus, cupidus, tenax, sordidus).
I. Lit.: “meretrix,” Ter. Eun. 5, 4, 5, and Cat. 110, 7; cf.: “Carmine formosae, pretio capiuntur avarae,” Tib. 3, 1, 7: “leno,” Ter. Heaut. prol. 39: “avarus et furax homo,” Cic. de Or. 2, 66, 268: “semper avarus eget,” Hor. Ep. 1, 2, 56: “quantum discordet parcus avaro,” id. ib. 2, 2, 194.—With gen.: “publicae pecuniae,” Tac. H. 1, 49: “caedis,” Claud. B. Get. 606 et saep.—Poet. transf. to inanimate things: “fuge litus avarum,” Verg. A. 3, 44 ( = avarorum, Serv.): “Troja, i. e. with reference to the perjured avarice of Laomedon,” Ov. M. 11, 208 (cf.: “perjura Troja,” Verg. A. 5, 811; Ov. M. 11, 215): “fraus,” Hor. C. 4, 9, 37: “spes,” id. ib. 4, 11, 25: “venter,” id. Ep. 1, 15, 32: “mare,” id. C. 3, 29, 61: Acheron. Verg. G. 2, 492: “ignis,” Prop. 3, 26, 10 al.—
II. Transf., in the poets sometimes without the access. idea of reproach: Graiis praeter laudem nullius avaris, eager only for glory, Hor.A.P.324: “agricola,” Verg. G. 1, 48.—Comp.: “avariores magistratus,” Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 82: “ruberes, Viveret in terris te si quis avarior uno,” Hor. Ep. 2, 2, 157. —Sup.: “homo avarissime et spurcissime,” Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 37.—Adv., covetously, greedily, avariciously, etc.
a. Ante-class. form ăvārĭter , Cato and Quadrig. ap. Non. p. 510, 17: “ingurgitare,” Plaut. Curc. 1, 2, 35. —Of gluttony: “si quis avidus poscit escam avariter,” Plaut. Rud. 4, 7, 12; cf. avaritia, II.—
b. Class. form ăvārē : “avare pretium statui arti meae,” Ter. Heaut. prol. 48: “aliquid facere,” Cic. Off. 3, 8, 37; Nep. Lys. 4, 1: “superbe avareque imperitare victis,” Liv. 21, 1, 3; cf. Curt. 4, 7.—Comp., more eagerly, more greedily: “avarius exigere opus,” Col. 1, 7, 1.—Sup.: “avarissime horas suas servare,” Sen. Ot. Sap. 32.
