shrive Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb grant remission of a sin to
    absolve.
    • The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's

WordNet

Shrive transitive verb
Etymology
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.
Wordforms
imperfect Shrived or Shrove ; past participle Shriven or Shrived; present participle & verbal noun Shriving
Definitions
  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 intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. Spenser.

Webster 1913