Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            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.