indulgence
UK[ɪnˈdʌldʒəns]US[ɪnˈdʌldʒəns]
n
the state or act of allowing yourself or someone else to have something enjoyable, especially more than is good for you
n
the state or act of allowing someone to do or have what they want, often when this is not good for them
n
(in the roman catholic church) an official act of forgiveness for sins that was sold in the past
Morpheme Breakdown
in
dulge
ence
in
in, towards
dulge
ence
Etymology
the word 'indulgence' traces its lineage to the latin verb 'indulgere', meaning 'to be kind to, to yield to, to give oneself up to'. this verb is composed of the prefix 'in-' (here with an intensive force, 'towards') and a root likely related to 'dulcis' (sweet). the core semantic logic is thus 'to treat someone as sweet', evolving into the concept of yielding to or gratifying desires. entering english via old french in the 14th century, it initially carried religious connotations of divine leniency or remission of punishment for sin, which later broadened to encompass the secular meanings of excessive gratification and permissiveness.
Analysis
Structure: in + dulge + ence
in- (latin prefix, meaning 'in, towards'), dulge (from latin dulc- 'sweet'), -ence (latin noun-forming suffix, indicating a state or quality)
Examples
a box of chocolates was her one weekly indulgence.
the parents showed great indulgence towards their children's demands.
in medieval times, the sale of indulgences was a controversial church practice.