shrift

American  

[shrift] / ʃrɪft /

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.

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shrift British  

/ ʃrɪft /

noun

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

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shrift Idioms  

1. see short shrift.

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Etymology

Origin of shrift

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

Example Sentences

Along the way, Cass gives short shrift to the many useful things that the financial industry does that are not a grift.

From The Wall Street Journal

This gives short shrift to the foundational curriculum in genetics, biochemistry, biostatistics and epidemiology.

From The Wall Street Journal

The result was “a sea change in the economics of the malpractice plaintiffs’ bar,” Rand found, with cases where the judgment cap would cut too deeply into attorney fees getting short shrift.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr. Brown gives short shrift to Roosevelt’s unparalleled record on the conservation of public land.

From The Wall Street Journal

Known for not suffering fools gladly while on air and giving some callers short shrift, he was once satirised in Private Eye.

From BBC

Related Words

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