Middle English Dictionary Entry
vē̆niāl n.
Entry Info
| Forms | vē̆niāl n. Also veniel. |
| Etymology | From ML veniāle & ME vē̆niāl adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Theol. A venial sin.
Associated quotations
- c1350 MPPsalter (Add 17376)18.13 : Lord, make me clene of my dedelich priuetez, and spele of þe oþer ueniales [vr. venialles synnes] to þyn seruaunt.
- ?c1430 Wycl.8 SSChr.(Corp-C 296)452 : Þouȝ þis be synne, ȝit it is venyal, and not dedly, and venyals ben waschen awey wiþ preieris of a Pater-noster.
- c1450(?c1425) St.Mary Oign.(Dc 114)138/47 : If happely hit semyd to hir þat she hadde trespassed any litil venial synne [L modicum veniale], she shewyd hir to a preste wiþ…grete sorow of herte…ȝe þof she…eshewed fro smal and veniels [L a modicis et venialibus].
- ?a1475(a1396) *Hilton SP (Hrl 6579)1.33.20b : Ȝit neuerþeles schalt þou for þis defaute and alle oþer venials…liften vp þin herte to god.