indulgence
|in/dul/gence|
/ɪnˈdʌldʒəns/
leniency or remission
Etymology
'indulgence' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'indulgentia', where the verb 'indulgēre' meant 'to be kind to' or 'to yield to'.
'indulgence' changed from Old French 'indulgence' and entered Middle English as 'indulgence', eventually becoming the modern English word 'indulgence'.
Initially, it meant 'leniency or mercy' (including the religious sense of remission of punishment), but over time it also came to mean 'the act of gratifying a desire' or 'a luxury/treat'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of allowing oneself to have or enjoy something, especially something considered a pleasure
She allowed herself an occasional indulgence in chocolate after dinner.
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Noun 2
leniency or permissiveness shown toward someone's faults or desires; the act of pampering or spoiling
His parents' indulgence meant he rarely learned to take responsibility.
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Noun 3
in Roman Catholicism, the remission of temporal punishment for sins, granted by the Church
In the Middle Ages some clergy sold indulgences, promising remission of punishment.
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Last updated: 2025/09/11 12:55