Edit page | Page history | Printable version

venial

1. Capable of being forgiven; not heinous; excusable; pardonable; as, a venial fault or transgression. So they do nothing, 't is a venial slip. (Shak)

2. Allowed; permitted. Permitting him the while venial discourse unblamed. Venial sin, a sin which weakens, but does not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or deadly, sins. Venially, Venialness.

Origin: OF. Venial, F. Veniel, L. Venialis, from venia forgiveness, pardon, grace, favor, kindness; akin to venerari to venerate. See Venerate.