shrift

[ shrift ]

noun

, Archaic.

1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession.
2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance.
3. confession to a priest.

shrift

/ ʃrɪft /

noun

1. archaic.
   the act or an instance of shriving or being shriven See also short shrift

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrift¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English scrift penance; cognate with German, Dutch schrift writing; shrive, -th ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of shrift¹

Old English scrift, from Latin scriptum script

Idioms and Phrases

see short shrift .

Example Sentences

Spider-Man has one of the most colorful rogues’ galleries around, but some of the webcrawler’s villains have gotten short shrift on the big screen.

From Washington Post

That just wasn’t yet a familiar sight, and coverage of women’s sports, which I think is a huge part of it, was still given short shrift.

From Outside Online

Meanwhile, the one person the audience does recognize and care about—young Dumbledore, played enchantingly by Jude Law—gets the short shrift.

From Time

How an antiquated understanding of race relations results in minority staffers getting the short shrift.

From The Daily Beast

Traditional American notion of independence, permanency and identity with neighborhood are given short shrift in this approach.

From The Daily Beast

Likely, Harold would have accepted the short shrift with his usual cynic's grace.

From The Daily Beast

More vexing than the short-shrift mentions are the flat-out omissions.

From The Daily Beast

One reason we've given the single-parenthood problem short shrift is that we lack good ideas about how to address it.

From The Daily Beast

She appears to have Irish virtue in excess, and I expect the larky would get short shrift from her.

From Project Gutenberg

A joint commission drew up a well-considered plan, but in the face of a presidential election the Senate gave it short shrift.

From Project Gutenberg

She said no word thereon: as for her shrift,No Chrisom child could show a chart of thoughtsMore spotless than were hers.

From Project Gutenberg

As she came back Julia heard Val in the hall dismissing poor Emmie and her piano key with short shrift.

From Project Gutenberg

I pray you that you will buy one, for war is bloody work, and the end is sudden with little time for thought or shrift.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• absolution
• atonement
• contrition
• forgiveness
• penitence
• remorse
• repentance
• retribution