'Shrive' definitions:
Definition of 'shrive'
From: WordNet
verb
Grant remission of a sin to; "The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's" [syn: shrive, absolve]
Definition of 'Shrive'
From: GCIDE
- Shrive \Shrive\, v. i. To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Shrive'
From: GCIDE
- Shrive \Shrive\, v. t. [imp. Shrivedor Shrove; p. p. Shrivenor Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving.] [OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scr[imac]van to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skr[imac]va to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskr[imac]ban to be troubled. Cf. Shrift, Shrovetide.]
- 1. To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the agent. [1913 Webster]
- That they should shrive their parishioners. --Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]
- Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . . Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- Till my guilty soul be shriven. --Longfellow. [1913 Webster]
- 2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively. [1913 Webster]
- Get you to the church and shrive yourself. --Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'shrive'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- absolve,
- acquit,
- administer absolution,
- administer extreme unction,
- amnesty,
- clear,
- confess,
- decontaminate,
- destigmatize,
- discharge,
- dismiss,
- dispense from,
- exculpate,
- excuse,
- exempt,
- exempt from,
- exonerate,
- forgive,
- free,
- give absolution,
- grant amnesty to,
- grant forgiveness,
- grant immunity,
- grant remission,
- hear confession,
- justify,
- let go,
- let off,
- make confession,
- nonpros,
- pardon,
- purge,
- quash the charge,
- receive absolution,
- release,
- remit,
- set free,
- spare,
- vindicate,
- whitewash,
- withdraw the charge