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venialness |
1 definition found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. So they do nothing, 't is a venial slip. --Shak. 2. Allowed; permitted. [Obs.] ``Permitting him the while venial discourse unblamed.'' --Milton. {Venial sin} (R. C. Theol.), a sin which weakens, but does not wholly destroy, sanctifying grace, as do mortal, or deadly, sins. -- {Ve"ni*al*ly}, adv -- {Ve"ni*al*ness}, n. --Bp. Hall.