Adjective

(en adjective)

Holding one’s self-interest as the standard for decision making.

* 1997 , John Peniel, The Children Of The Law Of One & The Lost Teachings Of Atlantis , chapter 10, page 127

“We all have both a selfish separate self, and an Inner Being that is One with the Universal Spirit. In this sense, every human has a sort of ‘split personality’. We are all kind of what you call ‘schitzy’ with these two sides, these two people living within us. And they are in total opposition. The free will dictates which of these two sides will have its way in our life, at every given moment.”

Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.

*{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)

, chapter=5, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite.

Adjective

(en adjective)

Voracious; avaricious.

* 1787 , :

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 .

Given to taking by force or plundering; aggressively greedy.

* 1910 , :

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.

Subsisting off live prey.

* 1827 , :

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 [...]