transitive verb

1. 1. to admit (a fault or crime)
   2. to acknowledge (an opinion or view)
2. to declare one's faith in
3. Old Poet. to be evidence of; reveal; manifest
4. Eccles.
   1. to tell (one's sins) to God, esp. in public worship service or in private
   2. to hear the confession of (a person): said of a priest

Etymology: ME confessen < OFr confesser < ML(Ec) *confessare < L confessus, pp. of confiteri, to acknowledge, confess < com-, together + fateri, to acknowledge; akin to fari, to speak: see fame

intransitive verb

1. to admit a fault or crime; acknowledge one's guilt
2. Eccles.
   1. to take part in public confession or make one's confession to a priest
   2. to hear confessions: said of a priest