1. Theol.
a. a depravity, or tendency to evil, held to be innate in humankind and transmitted from Adam to the race in consequence of his sin.
b. inclination to evil, inherent in human nature.
2. Rom. Cath. Theol. the privation of sanctifying grace in consequence of the sin of Adam.
[ 1300-50; ME; trans. of ML peccatum originale ]