Shrive

4 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Shrive \Shrive\, v. t. [imp. {Shrived}or {Shrove}; p. p.
     {Shriven}or {Shrived}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Shriving}.] [OE.
     shriven, schriven, AS. scr[imac]van to shrive, to impose
     penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skr[imac]va to impose
     punishment; cf. OS. biskr[imac]ban to be troubled. Cf.
     {Shrift}, {Shrovetide}.]


     1. To hear or receive the confession of; to administer
        confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the
        agent.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              That they should shrive their parishioners. --Piers
                                                    Plowman.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . .
              Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
                                                    --Shak.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Till my guilty soul be shriven.       --Longfellow.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Get you to the church and shrive yourself. --Beau. &
                                                    Fl.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Shrive \Shrive\, v. i.
     To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession
     and absolution. --Spenser.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  shrive
       v : confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under
           pressure [syn: {confess}, {squeal}]
       [also: {shrove}, {shriven}]

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  41 Moby Thesaurus words for "shrive":
     absolve, acquit, administer absolution, administer extreme unction,
     amnesty, clear, confess, decontaminate, destigmatize, discharge,
     dismiss, dispense from, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exempt from,
     exonerate, forgive, free, give absolution, grant amnesty to,
     grant forgiveness, grant immunity, grant remission,
     hear confession, justify, let go, let off, make confession,
     nonpros, pardon, purge, quash the charge, receive absolution,
     release, remit, set free, spare, vindicate, whitewash,
     withdraw the charge