venial
pronunciation
How to pronounce venial in British English:
UK [ˈvi:niəl]
How to pronounce venial in American English:
US [ˈviniəl, ˈvinjəl]
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- Adjective:
- warranting only temporal punishment
- easily excused or forgiven
Word Origin
- venial (adj.)
- c. 1300, "pardonable," from Old French venial "pardonable, excusable" (13c.) and directly from Late Latin venialis "pardonable," from Latin venia "forgiveness, indulgence, pardon," related to venus "sexual love, desire" (see Venus). Related: Venially.
Example
- 1. But the fault thus committed is venial ;
- 2. The venial sins are relatively minor and more easily forgiven .
- 3. Her poverty had been a venial fault for two gallant gentlemen .
- 4. Venial sins lessen our fervour , lead us gradually to fall into mortal sin , and make us deserve much temporal punishment .
- 5. Venial sins lessen our fervour , lead us gradually to fall into mortal sin , and make us deserve much temporal .