original sin

noun

1. Theology.
   1. a depravity, or tendency to evil, held to be innate in humankind and transmitted from Adam to all humans in consequence of his sin.
   2. inclination to evil, inherent in human nature.
2. Roman Catholic Theology. the privation of sanctifying grace in consequence of the sin of Adam.

original sin

noun

1. a state of sin held to be innate in mankind as the descendants of Adam

original sin

¹

1. The sin of Adam and Eve , the essential event of the Fall of Man . According to the most common teaching of Christians (see also Christian ), all descendants of Adam and Eve — that is, all people — share in this sin and are, from the time they are conceived, in a state of sin. In German, the term used is Erbsunde , meaning “inherited sin,” a more explanatory term than the English one. Jesus , through his Crucifixion and Resurrection , atoned for original sin. All who believe in Jesus and accept baptism are freed from original sin and experience salvation (see also salvation ). ( See justification by grace, through faith .)

original sin

²

1. The eating of the forbidden fruit by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden , which led to their expulsion from Eden by God. In Christian theology , the act by which all humans fell from divine grace.

Word History and Origins

Origin of original sin¹

1300–50; Middle English; translation of Medieval Latin peccātum orīgināle

Example Sentences

“The approach was really the original sin of Gascón and the beginning and the end of this administration,” Ehrlich said.

From Los Angeles Times

How he inspired Latinos to root for a franchise whose original sin was building a ballpark on the site of barrios that the city had demolished in the name of progress.

From Los Angeles Times

“The original sin in this state is affordability,” Newsom said at news conference.

From Los Angeles Times

To the federal officials and the states, the Ticketmaster deal was the original sin allowing Live Nation to build itself a near-monopoly in the live music industry.

From Los Angeles Times

If one is looking for the original sin in Red Lobster’s decline, however, a good candidate would be the deal that brought it under Golden Gate Capital’s ownership.

From Los Angeles Times