confessor Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a priest who hears confession and gives absolution
  2. noun someone who confesses (discloses information damaging to themselves)

WordNet

Con*fess"or noun
Etymology
OF. confessor, F. confesseur, fr. L. & LL. confessor.
Definitions
  1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges a fault, or the truth of a charge, at the risk of suffering; specifically, one who confesses himself a follower of Christ and endures persecution for his faith.
    He who dies for religion is a martyr; he who suffers for it is a confessor. Latham.
    Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood of so many martyrs and confessors. Bacon.
  2. A priest who hears the confessions of others and is authorized to grant them absolution.

Webster 1913