shrive

American  

[shrahyv] / ʃraɪv /

verb (used with object)

shrove, shrived, shriven, shrived, shriving

1. to impose penance on (a sinner).

2. to grant absolution to (a penitent).

3. to hear the confession of (a person).

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verb (used without object)

Archaic.

shrove, shrived, shriven, shrived, shriving

1. to hear confessions.

2. to go to or make confession; confess one's sins, as to a priest.

shrive British  

/ ʃraɪv /

verb

1. to hear the confession of (a penitent)

2. (tr) to impose a penance upon (a penitent) and grant him sacramental absolution

3. (intr) to confess one's sins to a priest in order to obtain sacramental forgiveness

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Other Word Forms

• shriver
  noun
• unshrived
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of shrive

First recorded before 900; Middle English shriven, schrifen, Old English scrīfan “to prescribe, impose a penance on (a penitent),” cognate with German schreiben “to write,” ultimately from Latin scrībere “to write, draw”; see scribe ¹

Explanation

To shrive is to hear someone's confession and forgive them. It's not easy, but once your brother has admitted to reading your diary and apologized, it's best to shrive him and move on. Though this verb is mainly considered to be archaic, you may occasionally come across it in the context of a Catholic priest absolving someone of sin. You can also shrive yourself by laying your sins or misdeeds on the table, in hopes of absolution and forgiveness: "After my friend was blamed for stealing those cookies, I decided to shrive myself and promise never to do it again."

Example Sentences

No play to make first-night audiences shrive themselves for past sins is American Landscape.

From Time Magazine Archive

And do you, father,” he added to Garnet, “proceed to shrive him.”

From Guy Fawkes or The Gunpowder Treason by Ainsworth, William Harrison

Since ye gave me blame herein"— Toll slowly— "That a bridal such as mine should lack gauds to make it fine, Come and shrive me from that sin.

From The Poetical Works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning Volume II by Browning, Elizabeth Barrett

"Who will shrive these poor fellows, then, if you have turned your back upon them?" asked Midge, reproachfully.

From Robin Hood by Wyeth, N. C. (Newell Convers)

"Come hither, hither, Friar John, And count your rosarie, And shrive this sinful gentleman, Under the greenwood tree!"

From The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 4, November 1, 1851 by Various