Ve"ni*al (?), a. [OF. venial, F. v'eniel, 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.

 

© Webster 1913.

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