Peccadilloes

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Minor faults or offenses that are often seen as trivial or unimportant; small sins or lapses in behavior that do not carry significant moral weight; slight transgressions that may be overlooked due to their inconsequential nature
2. Slight errors or minor misdeeds that are typically considered forgivable; lapses in etiquette or judgment regarded as harmless; small vices that are often excused or dismissed as inconsequential
3. Petty missteps or minor wrongdoings viewed as trivial in the grand scheme of morality; insignificant failings that are usually excused in social contexts; small indiscretions that seldom attract serious consequences

Etymology: "Peccadilloes" is the plural of "peccadillo," a word that entered English from Spanish, where "pecadillo" is a diminutive of "pecado," meaning "sin." Spanish speakers had built a little word for little sins: the suffix "-illo" shrinks the noun, so a pecadillo is a small pecado. Behind that lies the Latin "peccatum," meaning "sin, error, fault," from the verb "peccare," "to sin or offend." The Latin root carried the sense of a misstep as much as a moral wrong, which is why the English word still feels lighter than "sin" itself. The plural "peccadilloes" follows the English habit of adding "-es" to nouns ending in "-o," so the word's endings show a Spanish source passed through English usage.

Synonyms: missteps, faults, transgressions, indiscretions, sins