venal

See also: vénal

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈviːnəl/
  • Rhymes: -iːnəl

Etymology 1

From Latin vēna (“vein”) + -al.

Adjective

venal (comparative more venal, superlative most venal)

  1. Venous; pertaining to veins.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French vénal, from Old French venel, from Latin vēnālis (“for sale”), from vēnum (“something for sale”); compare vend.

Adjective

venal (comparative more venal, superlative most venal)

  1. (archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
  2. Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.
    • 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 140:
      Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility.
  3. Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
  4. (of behaviour etc.) Corrupt, mercenary.
    • 1785, The Times, 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C:
      Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, (...) as those who have lately figured on the political stage.
Usage notes

Do not confuse venal behavior (bribery/corruption) with venial behavior (mildly wrong behavior).

Synonyms
Antonyms
Translations

Anagrams

Spanish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /beˈnal/

Etymology 1

From vena +‎ -al.

Adjective

venal (plural venales)

  1. venous

Synonyms

Etymology 2

From Latin vēnālis (“for sale”), from vēnum (“something for sale”).

Adjective

venal (plural venales)

  1. venal, corruptible
  2. sellable
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