See Also: Venal(medicine)
Venal(health)
venal(1)(dictionary)
venal(2)(dictionary)
venal(dictionary)
VENAL(law)
Venal paraphilia(health)

venal(2) (iou)



venal adjective2. M17.
[Latin venalis, from venum something sold or for sale: see -AL1.]
a. Put on sale or available for purchase as an article of merchandise. Also, associated or connected with sale or purchase. arch. M17.
Saturday Review Figs..might be venal at the nearest stall.
b. Of support, favour, etc.: obtainable for a price; ready to be given in return for some reward regardless of higher principles. M17.
J. Bryce As the Senate is smaller..the vote of each member..fetches, when venal, a higher price.
c. Of an office, post, privilege, etc.: open to acquisition by bribery, instead of being conferred on grounds of merit or regarded as above bargaining for. L17.
J. Mendham The Venal Indulgences and pardons of the Church of Rome.
Of a person: able to be bribed; ready to lend support or exert influence for purely mercenary considerations. L17.
K. Amis A venal city official in some corruption-disclosing American classic.
Of conduct etc.: associated with bribery or unprincipled bargaining; subject to mercenary or corrupt influences. E18.
C. Bernheimer Venal practices became so widespread..that almost any woman..might contemplate selling herself.
venally adverb M18.
venalness noun: only in E18.