shrive

EnglishEdit

Alternative formsEdit

shrieve (obsolete)

EtymologyEdit

From Middle English shryven, shriven, schrifen, from Old English sċrīfan (“1. to decree, pass judgement, prescribe, 2. (of a priest) to prescribe penance or absolution”), from late Proto-Germanic *skrībaną, a borrowing from Latin scrībō (“write”). Compare West Frisian skriuwe (“to write”), Low German schrieven (“to write”), Dutch schrijven (“to write”), German schreiben (“to write”), Danish skrive (“to write”), Swedish skriva (“to write”), Icelandic skrifa (“to write”). More at scribe.

PronunciationEdit

enPR: shrīv, IPA^(key): /ˈʃɹaɪv/
Rhymes: -aɪv
- Audio (UK)
  (file)

VerbEdit

shrive (third-person singular simple present shrives, present participle shriving, simple past shrived or shrove, past participle shrived or shriven)

(religion, transitive and intransitive) To hear or receive a confession (of sins etc.)
- c. 1600, William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Scene III
  If he have the condition of a saint and the complexion of a devil, I had rather he should shrive me than wive me.
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene ii]:
  Doubtless he shrives this woman, […] / Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
- (Can we date this quote by Longfellow and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?)
  Till my guilty soul be shriven.
(religion, transitive) To prescribe penance or absolution.
(religion, intransitive or reflexive) To confess, and receive absolution.
- (Can we date this quote by traditional Irish song and provide title, author’s full name, and other details?), The Croppy Boy
  'Twas a good thought, boy, to come here and shrive.