indulgence

[ in-duhl-juhns ]

/ ɪnˈdʌl dʒəns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR indulgence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or practice of indulging; gratification of desire.

the state of being indulgent.

indulgent allowance or tolerance.

a catering to someone's mood or whim; humoring: The sick man demanded indulgence as his due.

something indulged in: Her favorite indulgence was candy.

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

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.

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

verb (used with object), in·dul·genced, in·dul·genc·ing.

Roman Catholic Church. to provide with an indulgence: an indulgenced pilgrimage to Rome.

Words nearby indulgence

inductive statistics, inductor, inductothermy, indue, indulge, indulgence, indulgency, indulgent, induline, indult, indumentum

Origin of indulgence

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

SYNONYMS FOR indulgence

3 sufferance, forbearance, allowance.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR indulgence ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM indulgence

non·in·dul·gence, nounpre·in·dul·gence, nounre·in·dul·gence, nounsu·per·in·dul·gence, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for indulgence

Three years ago, she moved to New Orleans, where, she says, she encountered a great culture of indulgence.
From Church of Christ to Pansexual Rapper|Tyler Gillespie|November 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But even still, that little sip of indulgence from a mug or a glass tastes almost just as sweet.
Mommy’s Little Secret? Coffee And Booze.|Sally Kohn|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The indulgence, however, does not apply to sins that have not yet been committed.
Popes, Saints, Miracles, Weird Relics and Odd Omens Converge on Rome|Barbie Latza Nadeau|April 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jill also admitted to her past indulgence in the substance at a Led Zeppelin concert.
‘Silicon Valley’ and the Return of Stoner Television|Rich Goldstein|April 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Those who made a pilgrimage to pray to the relic were given a 10-year indulgence.
Who Stole John Paul’s Blood And Christ’s Foreskin?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|January 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was generally a man of large frame, made larger by indulgence, and of great bodily power—which was useful to him.
Coaching Days & Ways|E. D. (Edward William Dirom) Cuming
Her manner partakes both of the indulgence of a mother and of the unrestrained intimacy of a friend.
French and Oriental Love in a Harem|Mario Uchard
He even felt as if he could have embraced his stern master for such an indulgence.
Watch--Work--Wait|Sarah A. Myers
It was an indulgence that a person of more wisdom or more experience would doubtless have denied herself.
Agnes Grey|Anne Bronte
Having seen what an indulgence is not, let us see what it is.
Mary, Help of Christians|Various

British Dictionary definitions for indulgence

indulgence

/ (ɪnˈdʌldʒəns) /

noun

the act of indulging or state of being indulgent

a pleasure, habit, etc, indulged in; extravagancefur coats are an indulgence

liberal or tolerant treatment

something granted as a favour or privilege

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

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

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

verb (tr)

RC Church to designate as providing indulgenceindulgenced 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

Cultural definitions for indulgence

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.

notes for indulgence

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.