venal

Etymology 1

From Latin vēna (“vein”) + -al.

adj

1. Venous; pertaining to veins.

Etymology 2

Borrowed from French vénal, from Old French venel, from Latin vēnālis (“for sale”), from vēnum (“something for sale”); compare vend.

adj

1. (archaic) For sale; available for purchase.
2. Of a position, privilege etc.: available for purchase rather than assigned on merit.
   Thus, regimental commands in the army were – as with the judiciary or the financial bureaucracy – venal posts, which were purchased, bequeathed and sold among the nobility. 2002, Colin Jones, The Great Nation, Penguin, published 2003, page 140
3. Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
4. (of behaviour etc.) Corrupt, mercenary.
   Though there is a disposition in mankind, to declaim against the corruption and peculation of the present times, as being more venal than formerly; yet, if we look back to different periods, we shall find statesmen and politicians, as selfish and corrupt, […] as those who have lately figured on the political stage. 1785, The Times, 9 Feb 1785, page 1, column C