The Spanish word 'avaricia' (meaning 'greed') comes from the Latin word 'avaritia' with the same meaning. 'Avaritia' was formed by combining the Latin adjective 'avarus' (meaning 'greedy') with the suffix '-itia' (which forms abstract nouns indicating a quality or state). The adjective 'avarus' itself derives from the Latin verb 'avere', meaning 'to desire' or 'to crave'.

This etymology shows how the concept of greed developed from a basic verb meaning 'to desire' into a more specific term for excessive desire for wealth or material possessions.

A related Spanish word is 'avaro' (meaning 'miserly' or 'stingy'), which comes directly from the Latin 'avarus'. While 'avaricia' refers to the abstract concept of greed, 'avaro' describes a person who exhibits this trait.

The English word 'avarice' is a direct cognate of Spanish 'avaricia', as both descend from Latin 'avaritia'. English also has the related adjective 'avaricious', meaning 'greedy' or 'miserly'. These words maintain nearly identical meanings to their Spanish counterparts, making them easy to remember for English speakers learning Spanish.