shrift

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

shrift, n. [OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrīfan to shrive. See Shrive.].

•  The act of shriving.  [1913 Webster]

  "In shrift and preaching is my diligence."  [1913 Webster]
•  Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]

  "Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day?"  [1913 Webster]

  "Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift,
  And be yourself; for you must die this instant."  [1913 Webster]

Shrift father, a priest to whom confession is made.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

shrift, n. archaic 1 confession to a priest.
2 confession and absolution.

Idiom

short shrift
1 curt treatment.
2 archaic little time between condemnation and execution or punishment.

Etymology

OE scrift (verbal noun) f. SHRIVE

THESAURUS

shrift

absolution, acknowledgment, admission, amnesty, avowal, concession, confession, exculpation, excuse, exemption, exoneration, grace, immunity, indemnity, owning, owning up, pardon, redemption, remission, remission of sin, reprieve, rite of confession, sparing, unbosoming

ROGET THESAURUS

shrift

Atonement

N atonement, reparation, compromise, composition, compensation, quittance, quits, expiation, redemption, reclamation, conciliation, propitiation, indemnification, redress, amends, apology, amende honorable, satisfaction, peace offering, sin offering, burnt offering, scapegoat, sacrifice, penance, fasting, maceration, sackcloth and ashes, white sheet, shrift, flagellation, lustration, purgation, purgatory.

Disclosure

N disclosure, retection, unveiling, deterration, revealment, revelation, exposition, exposure, expose, whole truth, telltale, acknowledgment, avowal, confession, confessional, shrift, bursting of a bubble, denouement, tattletale, snitch, fink, stool pigeon, canary, disclosed, open, public, Int, out with it!, the murder is out, a light breaks in upon one, the scales fall from one's eyes, the eyes are opened.