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.
Origin of indulgence
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English word from Latin word indulgentia.See indulge, -ence
She still prefers to serve it as a small single serving because anything more ruins the indulgence.
The Meaning of Chuseok During a Pandemic Year|Nina Yun|October 9, 2020|Eater
Of course you shouldn’t make choices that will cause financial stress later, but I’d encourage you to lean into indulgence, whatever that means for you.
How to Live Big with a Chronic Illness|Blair Braverman|October 2, 2020|Outside Online
You attend a performance twice a month, an indulgence which marks the passing of the weeks.
The first murder|Katie McLean|August 19, 2020|MIT Technology Review
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 Churcha remission of the temporal punishment for sin after its guilt has been forgiven
commercean extension of time granted as a favour for payment of a debt or as fulfilment of some other obligation
Also called: Declaration of Indulgencea 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 Churchto designate as providing indulgenceindulgenced prayers
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.