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.
"I hope this is just a venial sin on the road to free trade," Mr. Frenzel said.