SHRIVING

Etymology

Verb

shriving

present participle of shrive

Noun

shriving (plural shrivings)

The hearing of a confession of sins.

Source: Wiktionary


Shriv"ing, n.

Definition: Shrift; confession. Spenser.

SHRIVE

Shrive, v. t. [imp. Shrived or Shrove (; p. p. Shriven or Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving.] Etym: [OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scrivan to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skriva to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskriban 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.

Shrive, v. i.

Definition: To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. Spenser.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

24 June 2025

CLINGFISH

(noun) very small (to 3 inches) flattened marine fish with a sucking disc on the abdomen for clinging to rocks etc.


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