venial
ve·nial
adj \ˈvē-nē-əl, -nyəl\Definition of VENIAL
: of a kind that can be remitted : forgivable, pardonable; also : meriting no particular censure or notice : excusable <venial faults>
— ve·nial·ly adverb
— ve·nial·ness noun
See Examples of VENIAL
- <taking the restaurant's menu as a souvenir seems like a venial offense>
Origin of VENIAL
Middle English, from Middle French veniel, from Late Latin venialis, from Latin venia favor, indulgence, pardon; akin to Latin venus love, charm — more at win
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to VENIAL
Related Words: justifiable, redeemable; allowable, permissible; insignificant, minor, petty, trifling, trivial, unimportant; harmless, ignorable, tolerable
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