Nearby Words

short shrift

short shrift

noun
1.
a brief time for confession or absolution given to a condemned prisoner before his or her execution.
2.
little attention or consideration in dealing with a person or matter: to give short shrift to an opponent's arguments.

Origin:
1585–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Short shrift is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
Collins
World English Dictionary
short shrift
 
n
1.  brief and unsympathetic treatment
2.  (formerly) a brief period allowed to a condemned prisoner to make confession
3.  make short shrift of to dispose of quickly and unsympathetically

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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