self-indulgence (n.)
"habit of undue gratification of one's own passions, desires, etc.," 1650s; see self- + indulgence.
Entries linking to self-indulgence
word forming element indicating "oneself," also "automatic," from Old English use of self (pron.) in compounds, such as selfbana "suicide," selflice "self-love, pride, vanity, egotism," selfwill "free will." Middle English had self-witte "one's own knowledge and intelligence" (early 15c.).
OED counts 13 such compounds in Old English. Middle English Compendium lists four, counting the self-will group as a whole. It re-emerges as a living word-forming element mid-16c., "probably to a great extent by imitation or reminiscence of Greek compounds in (auto-)," and formed a great many words in the pamphlet disputes of the 17c.
Sense of "leniency, forbearance of restraint or control of another, gratification of desire or humor" is attested from late 14c. That of "yielding to one's inclinations" (technically self-indulgence) in English is from 1630s. 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. The sale of indulgences in the original Church sense was done at times merely to raise money and was widely considered corrupt; the one in 1517 helped to spark the Protestant revolt in Germany.
"given to undue gratification of one's own passions, desires, etc.," 1791, a back-formation from self-indulgence or else from self- + indulgent. Related: Self-indulgently.
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updated on April 19, 2022
Dictionary entries near self-indulgence
self-immolation
self-important
self-imposed
self-improvement
self-incrimination
self-indulgence
self-indulgent
self-inflicted
self-interest
self-involved
selfish