shrive - Definitions from Dictionary.com

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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

shrive

Audio Help [shrahyv] Pronunciation Key verb, shrove or shrived, shriv·en or shrived, shriv·ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to impose penance on (a sinner).

2.	to grant absolution to (a penitent).

3.	to hear the confession of (a person).

–verb (used without object) Archaic.

4.	to hear confessions.

5.	to go to or make confession; confess one's sins, as to a priest.

[Origin: bef. 900; ME shriven, schrifen, OE scrīfan to prescribe, c. G schreiben to write ≪ L scrībere; see scribe¹

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
shrive

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

shrive Audio Help   (shrīv) Pronunciation Key
v.   shrove (shrōv) or shrived, shriv·en (shrĭv'ən) or shrived, shriv·ing, shrives

v.   tr.

To hear the confession of and give absolution to (a penitent).
To obtain absolution for (oneself) by confessing and doing penance.

v. intr. Archaic

To make or go to confession.
To hear confessions.

[Middle English schriven, from Old English scrīfan, from Latin scrībere, to write; see skrībh- in Indo-European roots.]

shriv'er n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
shrive

O.E. scrifan "assign, decree, impose penance," from W.Gmc. *skriban (cf. O.S. scriban, O.Du. scrivan, Du. schrijven "to write;" O.N. skrjpt "penance, confession"), an early borrowing from L. scribere "to write" (see script).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

shrive
verb
grant remission of a sin to; "The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's"

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shrive

Shrift\, n. [OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scr[=i]fan to shrive. See Shrive.]

1. The act of shriving.

In shrift and preaching is my diligence. --Chaucer.

2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it. --Chaucer.

Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day? --Shak.

Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift, And be yourself; for you must die this instant. --Rowe.

Shrift father, a priest to whom confession is made.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Shrive

Shrive\, v. t. [imp. Shrivedor Shrove; p. p. Shrivenor Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving.] [OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scr[=i]van to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skr[=i]va to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskr[=i]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.

That they should shrive their parishioners. --Piers Plowman.

Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . . Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. --Shak.

Till my guilty soul be shriven. --Longfellow.

2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively.

Get you to the church and shrive yourself. --Beau. & Fl.

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