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

Even the tragic death of his son Rick, who died in a car accident in 1991, is given relatively short shrift.

From Los Angeles Times

Confounding matters is the short shrift that’s given to Ernst’s personal story.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, state and local health departments get short shrift.

From Salon

Tuesday, though, tends to get short shrift — or at least it did until 2014, when the rapper iLoveMakonnen released a ubiquitous ode to clubbing on the most banal day of the week.

From New York Times

Climate reporter Conrad Swanson gives short shrift to the viability of residential solar in the Pacific Northwest.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

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