Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Invidious
In·vid′i·ous (ĭn·vĭd′ĭ·ŭs), a. [L. invidiosus, fr. invidia envy. See Envy, and cf. Envious.]
1. Envious; malignant. [Obs.] Evelyn.
2. Worthy of envy; desirable; enviable. [Obs.]
Such a person appeareth in a far more honorable and invidious state than any prosperous man. Barrow.
3. Likely to incur or produce ill will, or to provoke envy; hateful; as, invidious distinctions.
Agamemnon found it an invidious affair to give the preference to any one of the Grecian heroes. Broome.
— In·vid′i·ous·ly, adv. — In·vid′i·ous·ness, n.