venial

views updated Jun 08 2018

ve·ni·al / ˈvēnēəl; ˈvēnyəl/ • adj. Christian Theol. denoting a sin that is not regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace.Often contrasted with mortal. ∎  (of a fault or offense) slight and pardonable.DERIVATIVES: ve·ni·al·i·ty / ˌvēnēˈalətē/ n.ve·ni·al·ly adv.

venial

views updated May 21 2018

venial (theol., of sin) not mortal XIII; that may be excused XVI. — OF. venial (mod. véniel) — late L. veniālis, f. venia forgiveness, indulgence, f. base of venus love; see -IAL.

venial

views updated May 23 2018

venial in Christian theology, denoting a sin that is not regarded as depriving the soul of divine grace. The word comes ultimately (in Middle English, via Old French) from late Latin venia ‘forgiveness’.