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acquisitiveness

[/ˌækwɪˈzɪtɪvnəs/]
noun
ganância; avidez por possuir
1. The quality or characteristic of being acquisitive; a strong desire to acquire and possess things, especially material possessions or wealth
His acquisitiveness drove him to accumulate wealth at any cost.
Sua ganância o impulsionava a acumular riqueza a qualquer custo.
2. The tendency or inclination to seek to obtain and keep possessions
The child's acquisitiveness was evident in her desire to collect every toy she saw.
A avidez da criança era evidente em seu desejo de coletar todo brinquedo que via.
NYC Slang
greed; being money-hungry
Synonyms
greedavaricecovetousnesspossessivenessmaterialismcupidity
Antonyms
generosityaltruismunselfishnessdetachmentasceticism

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ganância; avidez por possuir
Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
ganância; avidez
Colloquially may use 'sede de ter' (thirst to have)
São Paulo
ganância; espírito possuidor
Often emphasizes materialistic aspect
Portugal
ganância; cobiça; avidez de posse
May use 'cobiça' more frequently in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

keeping up with the Joneses
hunger for wealth
material obsession
never enough
the more the merrier (ironic usage)
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