original sin

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noun

Theology.

a depravity, or tendency to evil, held to be innate in humankind and transmitted from Adam to all humans in consequence of his sin.
inclination to evil, inherent in human nature.

Roman Catholic Theology. the privation of sanctifying grace in consequence of the sin of Adam.

Origin of original sin

1300–50; Middle English; translation of Medieval Latin peccātum orīgināle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for original sin

disobedience, wickedness, sinfulness

British Dictionary definitions for original sin

original sin

noun

a state of sin held to be innate in mankind as the descendants of Adam

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

original sin in Culture

original sin

The eating of the forbidden fruit by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, which led to their expulsion from Eden by God. In Christian theology, the act by which all humans fell from divine grace.

original sin

The sin of Adam and Eve, the essential event of the Fall of Man. According to the most common teaching of Christians (see also Christian), all descendants of Adam and Eve — that is, all people — share in this sin and are, from the time they are conceived, in a state of sin. In German, the term used is Erbsunde, meaning “inherited sin,” a more explanatory term than the English one. Jesus, through his Crucifixion and Resurrection, atoned for original sin. All who believe in Jesus and accept baptism are freed from original sin and experience salvation (see also salvation). (See justification by grace, through faith.)