shrive

views updated

shrive / shrīv/ • v. (past shrove / shrōv/ ; past part. shriv·en / ˈshrivən/ ) [tr.] archaic (of a priest) hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve (someone). ∎  (shrive oneself) present oneself to a priest for confession, penance, and absolution.

More From encyclopedia.com