venal

adj

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

1. For sale; available for purchase.

   “Because lips libertine and and venal had murmured such words to him, he believed but little in the candour of hers; […].”

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.”

3. Capable of being bought (of a person); willing to take bribes.
4. 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.”