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shrift

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shrift

  [shrift]
Use shrift in a Sentence
–noun Archaic.
1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession.
2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance.
3. confession to a priest.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE scrift penance; c. G, D schrift writing; see shrive, -th 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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shrift   (shrĭft)   
n.   Archaic

  1. The act of shriving.

  2. Confession to a priest.

  3. Absolution given by a priest. See Note at short shrift.


[Middle English, from Old English scrift, from Latin scrīptum, something written, from neuter past participle of scrībere, to write; see shrive.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

shrift 
O.E. scrift "confession to priest, followed by penance and absolution," verbal noun from scrifan "to impose penance" (see shrive). Short shrift was originally the brief time for a condemned criminal to confess before execution (1594); fig. extension to "little or no consideration" is first attested 1814.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

shrift

see short shrift.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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