Rapacious vs Venal - What's the difference?
rapacious | venal | Related terms |
Voracious; avaricious.
* 1787 , :
Given to taking by force or plundering; aggressively greedy.
* 1910 , :
Subsisting off live prey.
* 1827 , :
(archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.
* 2002 , , The Great Nation , Penguin 2003, p. 140:
Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
Corrupt, mercenary.
* 1785 , The Times , 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C:
Rapacious is a related term of venal.
As adjectives the difference between rapacious and venal
is that rapacious is voracious; avaricious while venal is available for a price; venal.rapacious
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- To presume a want of motives for such contests [of power between states] as an argument against their existence, would be to forget that men are ambitious, vindictive, and rapacious .
- A Prince [...] sooner becomes hated by being rapacious and by interfering with the property and with the women of his subjects, than in any other way.
- Even the rapacious birds appeared to comprehend the nature of the ceremony, for [...] they once more began to make their airy circuits above the place [...]
Usage notes
* The use of this term for animals other than birds is dated.Synonyms
* See alsovenal
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl)Etymology 2
From (etyl) , compare vendAdjective
(en adjective)- Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility.
- Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, (...) as those who have lately figured on the political stage.