Indulge
/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/noun
To allow oneself or someone else to have or do something desired, often too freely.
Did you know?Its Latin ancestor, *indulgere*, meant to be lenient, favor, or give way—so the modern word still carries the eerie energy of surrendering control.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
indulgēre
“to be kind to, show favor, yield to, or pamper”
Late Latin
Latin
indulgentia
“leniency, favor, indulgence”
Old French
OF
indulgence
“favor, remission, ecclesiastical pardon”
14th Century
English
indulgen
“to be lenient toward; to yield to a desire”
Modern English
English
indulge
“to allow oneself or another to have or do something desired, especially freely or excessively”