Nearby Words
verb (used with object)
1.
to acknowledge or avow (a fault, crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation.
2.
to own or admit as true: I must confess that I haven't read the book.
3.
to declare or acknowledge (one's sins), especially to God or a priest in order to obtain absolution.
4.
(of a priest) to hear the confession of (a person).
5.
EXPANDto acknowledge one's belief or faith in; declare adherence to.
6.
COLLAPSEto reveal by circumstances.
verb (used without object)
7.
to make confession; plead guilty; own: to confess to a crime.
8.
to make confession of sins, especially to a priest.
9.
(of a priest) to hear confession.
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Confess
is always a great word to know.
So is concurrent. Does it mean:
| serving to settle or decide a question |
| occurring or existing simultaneously or side by side |
Origin:
1300–50; Middle English confessen < Anglo-French, Old French confesser < Medieval Latin confessāre, verbal derivative of Latin confessus, past participle of confitērī to admit, confess, equivalent to con- con- + -fitērī, combining form of fatērī to admit
1300–50; Middle English confessen < Anglo-French, Old French confesser < Medieval Latin confessāre, verbal derivative of Latin confessus, past participle of confitērī to admit, confess, equivalent to con- con- + -fitērī, combining form of fatērī to admit
Related forms
con·fess·a·ble, adjective
con·fess·ingly, adverb
half-con·fessed, adjective
pre·con·fess, verb (used with object)
un·con·fessed, adjective
EXPANDun·con·fess·ing, adjective
COLLAPSEAntonyms
1. conceal. 2. deny.
1. conceal. 2. deny.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To Confess
Example Sentences
- Then there's the level of what you are really doing, whether you confess to it or not.
- Zoe is forced to confess and now wonders if she'll ever be free.
- Torture the data long enough, and they will confess to anything.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
confess
late 14c., from O.Fr. confesser, from L. confessus, pp. of confiteri "to acknowledge," from com- "together" + fatus, pp. of fateri "to admit," akin to fari "speak" (see fame). Its original religious sense was of one who avows his religion in spite of persecution or danger but
EXPANDdoes not suffer martyrdom. Related: Confessed "self-acknowledged" (1560s).
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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