Peccancies

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An instance of wrongdoing or sin that reflects a minor moral failing or transgression
2. A shortcoming in behavior or character that leads to moral error or fault
3. A slight deviation from correct conduct or ethical standards that indicates fallibility in human nature

Etymology: "Peccancies" is simply the plural of "peccancy," so its story is the story of that noun. The root is the Latin verb "peccō," meaning "to sin" or "to err," which gave rise to the present participle "peccāns," meaning "sinning" or "erring." Medieval Latin writers built a noun from that participle, "peccantia," and English later took the same formation as "peccancy," a state of being faulty or sinful. The plural form "peccancies" follows the regular English pattern for nouns ending in -cy, where the y becomes -ies. Because the word is an abstract noun, the plural is used when someone wants to refer to several distinct faults or lapses at once, each one a separate instance of wrongdoing.

Synonyms: misdeeds, offenses