mid-14c., "freeing from temporal punishment for sin," from Old French indulgence or directly from Latin indulgentia "complaisance, fondness, remission," from indulgentem (nominative indulgens) "indulgent, kind, tender, fond," present participle of indulgere "be kind, yield," of unknown origin; perhaps from in- "in" + derivative of PIE root *dlegh- "to engage oneself."
Sense of "gratification of another's desire or humor" is attested from late 14c. That of "yielding to one's inclinations" (technically self-indulgence) is from 1640s. In British history, Indulgence also refers to grants of certain liberties to Nonconformists under Charles II and James II, as special favors rather than legal rights; specifically the Declarations of Indulgence of 1672, 1687, and 1688 in England and 1669, 1672, and 1687 in Scotland.
实用例句
1. The king's indulgence towards his sons angered the business community.
国王对儿子们的纵容令商界恼火。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He prayed to be saved from self-indulgence.
他祈祷自己能从自我放纵中摆脱出来。
来自柯林斯例句
3. to lead a life of indulgence
过着放纵的生活
来自《权威词典》
4. She allowed herself only a few moments'indulgence in self - pity.
她只许自己自哀自怜了几分钟.
来自《简明英汉词典》
5. Constant indulgence in bad habits brought about his ruin.