First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
venial
adjective ve·nial \ˈvē-nē-əl, -nyəl\
: not serious
Full 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
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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
Related to VENIAL
- Synonyms
- condonable, excusable, forgivable, pardonable, remissible, remittable
- Antonyms
- indefensible, inexcusable, mortal, unforgivable, unjustifiable, unpardonable
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