Confess
Pronunciation
- IPA: /kənˈfɛs/
- Rhymes: -ɛs
Origin
From Middle English confessen, from Anglo-Norman confesser, from Old French confesser, from Medieval Latin confessÅ ("I confess"), a derivative of Latin confessus (Old French confés), past participle of cÅnfiteor ("I confess, I admit") from con- + fateor ("I admit"). Displaced Middle English andetten ("to confess, admit") (from Old English andettan).
Full definition of confess
Verb
- (to admit to the truth) To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.People confess to anything under torture.
- ShakespeareI never gave it him. Send for him hither,
And let him confess a truth. - MiltonAnd there confess
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg. - AddisonI must confess I was most pleased with a beautiful prospect that none of them have mentioned.
- To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.
- Bible, Matthew x. 32Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess, also, before my Father which is in heaven.
- Bible, Acts xxiii. 8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both.
- (religion) To unburden (oneself) of sins to a priest, in order to receive absolution.
- AddisonOur beautiful votary took an opportunity of confessing herself to this celebrated father.
- (religion) To hear or receive such a confession of sins from.
- Ld. BernersHe ... heard mass, and the prince, his son, with him, and the most part of his company were confessed.
- (to disclose or reveal) To disclose or reveal.
- Alexander PopeTall thriving trees confessed the fruitful mould.