peccadillo
[pek-uh-dil-oh]
- a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault.
Show More
Origin of peccadillo
1585–95; < Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado sin < Latin peccātum transgression, noun use of neuter of past participle of peccāre to err, offend
Synonyms
See more synonyms for peccadillo on Thesaurus.comlapse, slip, faux pas, indiscretion.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for peccadilloes
Contemporary Examples
But the flaws and peccadilloes of Renaissance artists like Michelangelo pale beside the misdeeds of patrons and pontiffs.
Silvio Berlusconi is back in Italian headlines, but not for his peccadilloes or corruption trials.
Silvio Berlusconi, Comeback Kid? Italy’s Ex-P.M. Leverages Euro CrisisBarbie Latza Nadeau
June 30, 2012
In 2001, Premiere Magazine published an extensive article documenting Schwarzenegger's peccadilloes.
Aaron Burr and Richard Cheney (Spiro Agnew's peccadilloes are miniscule in comparison), some two centuries apart.
Historical Examples
All little failings, peccadilloes, and asperities are strictly fined.
Dolly Reforming HerselfHenry Arthur Jones
At this point I recalled all the peccadilloes which most troubled my conscience.
YouthLeo Tolstoy
But you cannot saddle him, in the flesh or out of it, with your peccadilloes.
The FirebrandS. R. Crockett
I began to be sorry for this man, in spite of his peccadilloes.
Dolly DialoguesAnthony Hope
My sins were all peccadilloes; I always respected my neighbor's property—my neighbor's wife.
The EuropeansHenry James
peccadillo
- a petty sin or trifling fault
Show More
Word Origin
C16: from Spanish pecadillo, from pecado sin, from Latin peccātum, from peccāre to transgress
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
Word Origin and History for peccadilloes
peccadillo
n.
"slight sin," 1590s (earlier in corrupt form peccadilian, 1520s), from Spanish pecadillo, diminutive of pecado "a sin," from Latin peccatum "a sin, fault, error," noun use of neuter past participle of peccare "to miss, mistake, make a mistake, do amiss; transgress, offend, be licentious, sin," perhaps literally "to stumble," from a PIE verbal root *ped- "to walk, stumble, fall," related to the root of foot (n.).
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper