shrive

[ shrahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, shrove or shrived, shriv·en or shrived, shriv·ing.

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.

, shrove or shrived, shriv·en or shrived, shriv·ing.

1. to hear confessions.
2. to go to or make confession; confess one's sins, as to a priest.

shrive

/ ʃraɪv /

verb

1. to hear the confession of (a penitent)
2. tr to impose a penance upon (a penitent) and grant him sacramental absolution
3. intr to confess one's sins to a priest in order to obtain sacramental forgiveness

Derived Forms

• ˈshriver, noun

Other Words From

• un·shrived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrive¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English shriven, schrifen, Old English scrīfan “to prescribe, impose a penance on (a penitent),” cognate with German schreiben “to write,” ultimately from Latin scrībere “to write, draw”; scribe ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrive¹

Old English scrīfan, from Latin scrībere to write

Example Sentences

Just when it looked like the Seahawks would shrive a typically bizarre fourth quarter, the Titans rallied to tie the score in the final 30 seconds of regulation and then won it on Randy Bullock’s 36-yard field goal in overtime to win it.

From Seattle Times

“Shrift,” from the verb “to shrive,” is confession of one’s sins to a priest and presumably forgiveness.

From Washington Post

The force said the word shrove is the past tense of shrive - confession before Lent - so it felt appropriate.

From BBC

"Shrove" is the past tense of "shrive" which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as "presenting oneself to a priest for confession, penance, and absolution".

From BBC

Leah Lipsky and Ronal Iannotti, staff scientists at the Eunice Kennedy Shrive National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, report that for every hour of television children watch, they are 8% less likely to eat fruit every day, 18% more likely to eat candy, and 16% more likely to eat fast food.

From Time