First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
shrive
verb \ˈshrīv, especially Southern ˈsrīv\
shrived or shrove \ˈshrōv, ˈsrōv\ shriv·en \ˈshri-vən, ˈsri-\ or shrivedshriv·ing
Definition of SHRIVE
transitive verb
1
: to administer the sacrament of reconciliation to
2
: to free from guilt
intransitive verb
archaic : to confess one's sins especially to a priest
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Origin of SHRIVE
Middle English, from Old English scrīfan to shrive, prescribe (akin to Old High German scrīban to write), from Latin scribere to write — more at scribe
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