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View synonyms for

indulgence

[in-duhl-juhns]

noun

  1. the act or practice of indulging; gratification of desire.

  2. the state of being indulgent.

  3. indulgent allowance or tolerance.

    Synonyms: , ,
  4. a catering to someone's mood or whim; humoring.

    The sick man demanded indulgence as his due.

  5. something indulged in.

    Her favorite indulgence was candy.

  6. Roman Catholic Church.a partial remission of the temporal punishment, especially purgatorial atonement, that is still due for a sin or sins after absolution.

  7. English and Scottish History.(in the reigns of Charles II and James II) a grant by the king to Protestant dissenters and Roman Catholics freeing them from certain penalties imposed, by legislation, because of their religion.

  8. Commerce.an extension, through favor, of time for payment or performance.



verb (used with object)

indulgenced, indulgencing 
  1. Roman Catholic Church.to provide with an indulgence.

    an indulgenced pilgrimage to Rome.

indulgence

/ ɪˈʌəԲ /

noun

  1. the act of indulging or state of being indulgent

  2. a pleasure, habit, etc, indulged in; extravagance

    fur coats are an indulgence

  3. liberal or tolerant treatment

  4. something granted as a favour or privilege

  5. RC Church a remission of the temporal punishment for sin after its guilt has been forgiven

  6. commerce an extension of time granted as a favour for payment of a debt or as fulfilment of some other obligation

  7. Also called: Declaration of Indulgence.a royal grant during the reigns of Charles II and James II of England giving Nonconformists and Roman Catholics a measure of religious freedom

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. RC Church to designate as providing indulgence

    indulgenced prayers

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

indulgence

  1. In the Roman Catholic Church, a declaration by church authorities that those who say certain prayers or do good deeds will have some or all of their punishment in purgatory remitted.

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In the Middle Ages, indulgences were frequently sold, and the teaching on indulgences was often distorted. The attack by Martin Luther on the sale of indulgences began the Reformation.
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Other Word Forms

  • nonindulgence noun
  • preindulgence noun
  • reindulgence noun
  • superindulgence noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of indulgence1

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word indulgentia. See indulge, -ence
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There was long-winded indulgence and lovely itty-bitty works, over in a flash but suggestive of a full and lovely life, like that of an insect.

From

This did not dampen her gratitude, however: The gesture “was an expression of indulgence unrestrained by any considerations of expense.”

From

They straddle the line between indulgence and wellness, pleasure and penance.

From

He encourages prospective buyers to break their spending into three buckets: essentials, desirables and indulgences.

From

But my largest indulgence by far has been my Rimowa, the luxury German suitcase.

From

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