Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Shrive
Shrive
,Verb.
T.
[
imp.
Shrived
or Shrove
; p. p.
Shriven
or Shrived
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Shriving
.] [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
.] 1.
To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; – said of a priest as the agent.
That they should
shrive
their parishioners. Piers Plowman.
Doubtless he
Else ne’er could he so long protract his speech.
shrives
this woman, . . . Else ne’er could he so long protract his speech.
Shakespeare
Till my guilty soul be
shriven
. Longfellow.
2.
To confess, and receive absolution; – used reflexively.
Get you to the church and
shrive
yourself. Beau. & Fl.
Shrive
,Verb.
I.
To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution.
Spenser.
Webster 1828 Edition
Shrive
SHRIVE
,Verb.
T.
He shrives this woman. Obs. Shak.