noun / verb

hoard

HORD/hˈɔrd/

A collection kept for oneself, often hidden, or the act of gathering it.

The woman protects her hoard of crackers while refusing to share a packet.

A woman adds another packet of crackers to an excessive private stockpile while using her free hand to refuse a man's request for one.

Etymology

hoardOld Englishto collect and store for future use

Old English hordian meant collecting and storing things for preservation or future use. The selected modern sense adds a negative emphasis on keeping that store secretly or selfishly.

In context

The Best Seat in History126:09

anyone who tried to hoard a surplus against tomorrow to quietly build up a little private stockpile and escape the daily dependence found it spoiled and crawling with worms by the next sunrise.

You've Been Wrong About Temptation (The Bible Explains Why)

More examples

Squirrels hoard nuts for winter.
He refuses to share his hoard of candy.
They hoarded canned food before the storm.

Forms

hoard · hoards · hoarded · hoarding

hoarder noun — A person who accumulates and keeps things.

Similar words

stash: An informal word for a supply kept out of sight.
cache: Emphasizes a concealed store rather than selfish accumulation.
stockpile: Emphasizes a large reserve gathered for future needs.