shrive Hear it!

shrive Definition

shrive (s̸hrīv)

transitive verb shrived or shrove, shriven shriv′en (s̸hriv′ən) or shrived, shriving shriv′·ing

  1. to hear the confession of and absolve
  2. to get absolution for oneself by confessing

Etymology: ME shriven < OE scrifan, akin to Ger schreiben, to write < early WGmc borrowing < L scribere, to write: see scribe

intransitive verb

  1. to make one's confession
  2. to hear confessions
shrive Synonyms

shrive

v.

  1. To absolve

    redeem, purge, pardon; see excuse, forgive 1.

  2. To confess

    repent, atone, pray; see confess 3.