venal
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: vénal
Contents
English[edit]
Pronunciation[edit]
Etymology 1[edit]
From the Latin vēna (“vein”).
Adjective[edit]
venal (comparative more venal, superlative most venal)
Etymology 2[edit]
From French vénal, from Old French venel, from Latin vēnālis (“for sale”), from vēnum (“something for sale”); compare vend.
Adjective[edit]
venal (comparative more venal, superlative most venal)
- (archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
- 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.
- 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 140:
- Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
- (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.
- 1785, The Times, 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C:
Synonyms[edit]
- (for sale): purchasable
- (willing to take bribes): crooked
Antonyms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
for sale, available for a price
willing to take bribes
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corrupt, mercenary
Anagrams[edit]
Spanish[edit]
Adjective[edit]
venal m, f (plural venales)
