It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. That forgiving term descends from "venia," Latin for favor, "indulgence," or "pardon.". These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'venal.' veniality (countable and uncountable, plural venialities). If you are given the choice between acts that are "venal" and those that are "venial," go for the venial. venal definition: 1. "Venal" demonstrates the adage that anything can be had if the price is high enough and the morals are low enough. Like all of us, museums are stitched tight into the fabric of a messy, True to his mentor Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Rivera’s play is simultaneously lyrical and, Which of the following was once a synonym for. Learn more. The online etymology dictionary is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. Delivered to your inbox! That word originated with the Latin venum, which simply referred to something that was sold or for sale. Although the two words look and sound alike, they have very different meanings and histories. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and English as a second language. What made you want to look up venal? Etymology venal +‎ -ity, from French vénalité or Latin vēnālitās, from vēnālis (“ venal ”), from vēnum. “Venal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/venal. Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary, When he heard him in after years accused of shameless, However enraged I might be at the new revelation of Addicks' extraordinary, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=veniality&oldid=60453313, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free! Send us feedback. "Venial" sins, on the other hand, are pardonable, the kind that show that everyone makes mistakes sometimes. Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible). "Venal" demonstrates the adage that anything can be had if the price is high enough and the morals are low enough. This page was last edited on 21 September 2020, at 07:05. That word originated with the Latin venum, … But at this point, the most surprising thing Donald Trump could do is not act like Donald Trump—to not be a, That is, major decisions of economic policy and diplomacy are being adjudicated by some of the dumbest, most, The blistering nonfiction account, written by a morally dubious figure with months of White House access, portrayed President Trump as a. Bolton, the former White House national security adviser, rocked domestic and international politics by writing a book that portrays the president as ignorant. A venal person is willing to behave in a way that is not honest or moral in exchange for money…. Origin of venality From the Late Latin word vēnālitas, dating back to 1605–15. Learn a new word every day. borrowed from Latin vēnālis "that may be bought, for sale," from *vēnus "sale" (attested only in accusative vēnum and dative vēnō, vēnuī; akin to Greek ônos "price," Sanskrit vasna- "price, value") + -ālis -al entry 1, Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP. Do not confuse veniality (“mildly wrong behavior”) with venality (“bribability/corruptibility”). Accessed 9 Oct. 2020. It is professional enough to satisfy academic standards, but accessible enough to be used by anyone. Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words? See definitions of venality. The site has become a favorite resource of teachers of reading, spelling, and English as a second language. Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox! The online etymology dictionary is the internet's go-to source for quick and reliable accounts of the origin and history of English words, phrases, and idioms. Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way. Some of those transactions must have been rather shady, because by the mid-1600s, "venal" had gained the sense of corruption it carries today. Do not confuse veniality (“mildly wrong behavior”) with venality (“bribability/corruptibility”). See the full definition for venal in the English Language Learners Dictionary, Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for venal, Nglish: Translation of venal for Spanish Speakers, Britannica English: Translation of venal for Arabic Speakers. VENALITY Meaning: "capability of being bought," from Latin venalis "capable of being bought" (see venal).