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