Category:Venial

Ve"ni*al, a. Etym: [of. venial, f. véniel, 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.