See Also: shrift(dictionary)
shrift(dictionary)

shrift (iou)



shrift noun & verb.

A. noun.
Penance imposed after confession. OE-LME.
A confessor. OE-M17.
Absolution, esp. as implied in the imposition of penance. arch. OE.
(A) confession to a priest; transf. (an) admission, (a) revelation. (Foll. by of.) arch. ME.
Phrases: short shrift (a) arch. little time allowed for making confession before execution or punishment; (b) transf. curt treatment; give short shrift to, treat curtly. go to shrift arch. go to confession, seek absolution.
Comb.: shrift-district Hist. = shrift-shire below; shrift-father arch. a confessor; shrift-shire Hist. a district to which a priest ministered.
b. verb trans. = SHRIVE 2. arch. rare. E17.