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

Instead of the typical rock-star tale that relives the glory days and gives short shrift to the rest, the former Black Sabbath frontman chose to lay bare his recent medical struggles in grisly detail.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Loyal to the “war on terror” brand, the American media establishment gave remarkably short shrift to concerns about civilian deaths and suffering.

Read more on Salon

Baxter firmly believed no presenter was bigger than the programme and gave short shrift to any of them who she felt had fallen below the standards she expected.

Read more on BBC

While I always appreciate a fruitful exercise in accountability, it’s a huge problem that local media like the New York Daily News shamefully gave those matters short shrift to endorse Cuomo.

Read more on Salon

But the fate of Palestinian people and the war in Gaza, where the dead are piling up in recent days under an Israeli onslaught, appears to have received short shrift.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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