capital sin
/ˌkapɪtl ˈsɪn/noun
1 Theology. In scholastic thought, and traditional Christian moral theology originating from this: each of the seven major categories of transgression (sometimes also called the deadly sins or cardinal sins), understood as being the root of all other sins; a sin belonging to one of these categories. Hence also: any major sin.
- The capital sins (or vices) are usually enumerated as pride, avarice, lust, envy, gluttony, anger, and sloth, understood as types of sin, irrespective of the gravity of their commission in any particular case..
2 Figurative or hyperbolical. A major fault or error, a ‘cardinal sin’.
Origin
Mid 16th century; earliest use found in Robert Crowley (d. 1588), author, Church of England clergyman, and printer. From capital + sin, after any or all of the following: post-classical Latin capitale peccatum, vitium capitale or Middle French vice capital, Anglo-Norman pecché capital.