| 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. Ve"nially, Ve"nialness. Origin: OF. Venial, F. Veniel, L. Venialis, from venia forgiveness, pardon, grace, favor, kindness; akin to venerari to venerate. See Venerate. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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