indulgency
LowFormal/Historical/Technical
Definition
Meaning
An instance or action of indulging; the act of allowing oneself or another to have or do something enjoyable, often something considered excessive or not strictly necessary.
In historical religious contexts (primarily Roman Catholic), an 'indulgence' or 'indulgency' is a remission of the temporal punishment for sins, granted by the Church after the guilt has been forgiven through sacramental confession.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is largely archaic and now considered a variant or less common spelling of 'indulgence'. Its primary modern use is in historical discussions or, rarely, as a self-consciously formal or old-fashioned choice for the concept of leniency or self-gratification.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in contemporary usage, as the term is extremely rare in both. The standard form 'indulgence' is universally preferred. Historical religious texts in English may use either spelling.
Connotations
The '-cy' ending (indulgency) may sound slightly more archaic or legalistic to modern ears.
Frequency
'Indulgence' is vastly more frequent. 'Indulgency' is virtually absent from modern corpora and would be marked as an unusual spelling.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] + indulgency + [in + NP] (e.g., 'grant an indulgency in')[Adj] + indulgency + [toward(s) NP] (e.g., 'excessive indulgency towards')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'indulgency'. See idioms for 'indulgence' (e.g., 'guilty indulgence').”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business contexts. The concept might be discussed metaphorically ('market indulgence').
Academic
Primarily in historical or religious studies texts discussing pre-Reformation practices.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would likely be corrected to 'indulgence'.
Technical
In theological/historical writing as a variant of 'indulgence'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The monarch would sometimes indulgency a favourite courtier with lands and titles.
- He was known to indulgency his fondness for port after dinner.
American English
- The historical text described how the Pope could indulgency a penitent sinner.
- She would rarely indulgency her sweet tooth.
adverb
British English
- He lived indulgenly (archaic/rare) in his later years.
American English
- She smiled indulgenly (archaic/rare) at the child's request.
adjective
British English
- The indulgent (no common adjective form 'indulgency') behaviour was noted.
American English
- His indulgent (no common adjective form 'indulgency') attitude was clear.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- As a rare indulgency, she bought an expensive chocolate bar.
- Parents should avoid too much indulgency with their children.
- The sale of papal indulgences (commonly spelled 'indulgences') was a major cause of the Reformation.
- His occasional indulgency in rich foods was his only vice.
- The theologian penned a treatise criticising the corrupt practice of selling spiritual indulgencies.
- The king's indulgency towards his corrupt ministers ultimately weakened his reign.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'agency' for action: an INDULGENCY is the AGENCY or action of INDULGING.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDULGENCY IS A PERMISSION SLIP (from an authority, allowing a pleasurable deviation from rules).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'терпимость' (tolerance/patience).
- The religious term is 'индульгенция' (indulgentsiya), which matches 'indulgency' more closely than 'indulgence' in form.
- Avoid using for everyday 'treats' or 'pleasures'; it carries a formal/archaic/religious weight.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling it as 'indulgence' (which is not a mistake but the standard form).
- Using it in casual contexts where it sounds stilted.
- Pronouncing the 'g' as hard /g/ instead of soft /dʒ/.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the spelling 'indulgency' MOST likely to be encountered today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Indulgence' is the standard modern spelling. 'Indulgency' is an archaic variant, primarily encountered in historical or religious texts.
It is not recommended. Using 'indulgency' in casual conversation would sound unusual, old-fashioned, or like a mistake. Use 'indulgence' instead.
There is no difference in core meaning. 'Indulgency' is simply a less common, historically used spelling of the same word. Modern dictionaries list it as a variant.
No, they are pronounced identically: /ɪnˈdʌldʒ(ə)ns/.