shrive Definition
- 1to hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve (someone)
- 2to confess one's sins to a priest and receive absolution
Using shrive: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "shrive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The priest will shrive the penitent before granting absolution.
Example
He went to the church to shrive himself of his sins.
Example
She felt relieved after being shriven by the priest.
shrive Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with shrive
Example
He decided to shrive himself before the pilgrimage.
Example
The judge shrived the defendant of all charges.
Example
He went to the church to shrive his soul before the final battle.
Origins of shrive
from Old English 'scrifan', meaning 'to impose penance'
Summary: shrive in Brief
'Shrive' [ʃraɪv] is a verb that means to hear confession, assign penance, and absolve someone. It is often used in religious contexts, such as 'The priest will shrive the penitent before granting absolution.' The phrase 'shrive oneself' means to confess one's sins and ask for forgiveness, while 'shrive someone of something' means to absolve someone of their guilt or wrongdoing.