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indulgence

 - 4 dictionary results

in⋅dul⋅gence

  [in-duhl-juhns] noun, verb, -genced, -genc⋅ing.
Use indulgence in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act or practice of indulging; gratification of desire.
2. the state of being indulgent.
3. indulgent allowance or tolerance.
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, esp. purgatorial atonement, that is still due for a sin or sins after absolution. Compare plenary indulgence.
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)
9. Roman Catholic Church. to provide with an indulgence: an indulgenced pilgrimage to Rome.
Origin:
1325–75; ME < L indulgentia. See indulge, -ence

Synonyms:
3. sufferance, forbearance, allowance.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To indulgence
in·dul·gence   (ĭn-dŭl'jəns)   
n.  

    1. The act or an instance of indulging; gratification: indulgence of every whim.

    2. The state of being indulgent.

    3. The act of indulging in something: indulgence in irresponsible behavior.

    4. Something indulged in: Sports cars are an expensive indulgence.

    5. Something granted as a favor or privilege.

    6. Permission to extend the time of payment or performance.

    7. Patient attention: I beg your indulgence for just a few minutes.

    1. The act of indulging in something: indulgence in irresponsible behavior.

    2. Something indulged in: Sports cars are an expensive indulgence.

    3. Something granted as a favor or privilege.

    4. Permission to extend the time of payment or performance.

    5. Patient attention: I beg your indulgence for just a few minutes.

  3. Liberal or lenient treatment; tolerance: treated their grandchildren with fond indulgence.

  4. Self-indulgence: a life of wealth and indulgence.

    1. Something granted as a favor or privilege.

    2. Permission to extend the time of payment or performance.

    3. Patient attention: I beg your indulgence for just a few minutes.

  6. Roman Catholic Church The remission of temporal punishment still due for a sin that has been sacramentally absolved.

tr.v.   in·dul·genced, in·dul·genc·ing, in·dul·genc·es Roman Catholic Church
To attach an indulgence to.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

indulgence

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.

Note: 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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

indulgence 
1362, "freeing from temporal punishment for sin," from L. indulgentia "complaisance, fondness, remission," from indulgentem (nom. indulgens), prp. of indulgere "be kind, yield," of unknown origin. Sense of "gratification of another's desire or humor" is attested from 1382. That of "yielding to one's inclinations" (technically self-indulgence) is from 1649. Indulge is a 1623 back-formation. In British history, Indulgence also refers to grants of certain liberties to Nonconformists under Charles II and James II, as special favors rather than legal rights; specifically the Declarations of Indulgence of 1672, 1687, and 1688 in England and 1669, 1672, and 1687 in Scotland.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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