'Venial' definitions:

Definition of 'venial'

(from WordNet)
adjective
Warranting only temporal punishment; "venial sin" [syn: minor, venial]
adjective
Easily excused or forgiven; "a venial error" [syn: excusable, forgivable, venial]

Definition of 'Venial'

From: GCIDE
  • Venial \Ve"ni*al\, a. [OF. venial, F. v['e]niel, L. venialis, from venia forgiveness, pardon, grace, favor, kindness; akin to venerari to venerate. See Venerate.]
  • 1. Capable of being forgiven; not heinous; excusable; pardonable; as, a venial fault or transgression. [1913 Webster]
  • So they do nothing, 't is a venial slip. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Allowed; permitted. [Obs.] "Permitting him the while venial discourse unblamed." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
  • Venial sin (R. C. Theol.), a sin which weakens, but does not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or deadly, sins. [1913 Webster] -- {Ve"ni*al*ly}, adv. -- {Ve"ni*al*ness}, n. --Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Venial'