\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.

         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.