Venal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈviːnÉ™l/
• Rhymes: -iːnÉ™l

From Latin vena

Full definition of venal

Adjective

1. venous; pertaining to veins

From French vénal, from Latin venalis, from venum ("something for sale"), cf. vend

Adjective

1. (archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
2. Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.
• 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin 2003, p. 140:Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility.
3. Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
4. (of behaviour etc.) Corrupt, mercenary.
• 1785, The Times, 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C:Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, (...) as those who have lately figured on the political stage.

Synonyms

• (for sale) purchasable
• (willing to take bribes) crooked

Antonyms

• (willing to take bribes) straight, honest, uncorrupt

Related terms

• venally

Anagrams

• Alven
• navel