also: たんらん
noun, na-adjective
Strong, often literary term for excessive desire for wealth or gain. Can be used as a noun or adjectival noun (e.g., 貪婪な).
彼の貪婪な欲望には驚かされる。
I am astonished by his avaricious desires.
その政治家は貪婪の限りを尽くした。
That politician indulged in every kind of greed.
The kanji 貪 means 'covet' or 'greed', and 婪 also means 'greed' or 'avarice'. The compound is a classical Chinese-derived word emphasizing intense greed. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.