ETYM French grâce, Latin gratia, from gratus beloved, dear, agreeable; Skr. hary to desire, and Eng. yearn. Related to Grateful, Gratis.
(religion) In Christianity and Sikhism, a free or unmerited gift or privilege bestowed by God, whose favor, or revealing of himself, cannot be earned or attained by human efforts. In Christian thinking, grace also stands for God's presence in human history. In the Orthodox Church it refers to human participation in the divine life, whereas the Western church understands it more in terms of the power to heal humanity from its defects.
1. A disposition to kindness and compassion; benign good will; SYN. good will, goodwill.
2. A short prayer of thanks before a meal; SYN. blessing, thanksgiving.
3. A state of sanctification by God; SYN. state of grace.
4. Elegance and beauty of movement or expression; SYN. gracility.
5. Free and unmerited favor or beneficence of God. + prikaži više

Excellence of manners or social conduct.

ETYM Latin indulgentia: cf. French indulgence.
1. A disposition to yield to the wishes of someone; SYN. lenience, leniency.
2. An inability to resist the gratification of whims and desires; SYN. self-indulgence.
3. The act of indulging or gratifying a desire; SYN. indulging, pampering, humoring, pleasing.
Former Catholic pardon granted for remission of punishment for sins.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the total or partial remission of temporal punishment for sins that remain to be expiated after penitence and confession have secured exemption from eternal punishment. The doctrine of indulgence began as the commutation of church penances in exchange for suitable works of charity or money gifts to the church, and became a great source of church revenue. This trade in indulgences roused Martin Luther in 1517 to initiate the Reformation. The Council of Trent 1563 recommended moderate retention of indulgences, and they continue, notably in “Holy Years”. + prikaži više

ETYM Old Eng. merci, French merci, Latin merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, Late Lat., equiv. to misericordia pity, mercy. Latin merces is prob. akin to merere to deserve, acquire. Related to Merit, Amerce.
1. Alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed.
2. Something for which to be thankful.