shrive

• POS: Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

shrive, v. t. [OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scrīvan to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skrīva to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskrīban to be troubled. Cf. Shrift, Shrovetide.].

•  To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the agent.  [1913 Webster]

  "That they should shrive their parishioners."  [1913 Webster]

  "Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . .
  Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech."  [1913 Webster]

  "Till my guilty soul be shriven."  [1913 Webster]
•  To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively.  [1913 Webster]

  "Get you to the church and shrive yourself."  [1913 Webster]

shrive, v. i. 

 To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution.  Spenser.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

shrive, v.tr. (past shrove; past part. shriven) RC Ch. archaic 1 (of a priest) hear the confession of, assign penance to, and absolve.
2 (refl.) (of a penitent) submit oneself to a priest for confession etc.

Etymology

OE scrifan impose as penance, WG f. L scribere write

THESAURUS

shrive

absolve, acquit, administer absolution, administer extreme unction, amnesty, clear, confess, decontaminate, destigmatize, discharge, dismiss, dispense from, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exempt from, exonerate, forgive, free, give absolution, grant amnesty to, grant forgiveness, grant immunity, grant remission, hear confession, justify, let go, let off, make confession, nonpros, pardon, purge, quash the charge, receive absolution, release, remit, set free, spare, vindicate, whitewash, withdraw the charge

ROGET THESAURUS

shrive

Rite

VB perform service, do duty, minister, officiate, baptize, dip, sprinkle, anoint, confirm, lay hands on, give the sacrament, administer the sacrament, administer extreme unction, hear confession, administer holy penance, shrive, excommunicate, ban with bell book and candle, attend services, attend mass, go to mass, hear mass, take the sacrament, receive the sacrament, receive communion, attend the sacrament, partake of the sacrament, partake of communion, communicate, receive extreme unction, confess, go to confession, receive penance, anele, preach, sermonize, predicate, lecture.

Atonement

VB atone, atone for, expiate, propitiate, make amends, make good, reclaim, redeem, repair, ransom, absolve, purge, shrive, do penance, stand in a white sheet, repent in sackcloth and ashes, wear a hairshirt, set one's house in order, wipe off old scores, make matters up, pay the forfeit, pay the penalty, apologize, beg pardon, fair l'amende honorable, give satisfaction, come down on one's knees, fall down on one's knees, down on one's marrow bones.