Shrive

I like the word "shrive". Even better is the past tense "shriven". And there is always "shrove" and "shrift". I like the sound of the "r" after the initial "sh". There aren't so many words that begin that way.

Perhaps that's why I've never liked "shroom". It's an imposter, an interloper, a fraud. The definition of "shrive" after the jump.

shrive, v.

Pronunciation:  /ʃraɪv/

Forms:  Pa. tense shrove /ʃrəʊv/ , pa. pple. shriven /ˈʃrɪv(ə)n/ . Forms: OE ...

Etymology:  Common Germanic (wanting in Gothic): Old English scrífan (-scráf, scrifon, ge-scrifen), to allot, assign, decree, adjudge, impose as a sentence, impose penance, regard, care for, corresponding to Old Frisian scrîva (skref, skreven), to write, impose penance (West Frisian skriuwe, skreau, skreaun, North Frisian skriiw, skreew, skrewen, East Frisian schriuwe to write), Old Saxon skrîƀan to write, (Middle) Low German schrîven, schreev, schrêven, Middle Dutch schrîven, screef, ghescrêven to write, paint, describe (Dutch schrijven, schreef, geschreven), Old High German scrîban, Middle High German scrîben, schreip, geschriben to write, draw, paint, describe, appoint, prescribe (German schreiben, schrieb, geschrieben), Old Norse and Icelandic (weak and with short ĭ) skrifa, -aða, -aðr to paint, write, Middle Swedish skriva, -adhe, -adhu, (strong) skref, skrivin, Swedish skrifva, skref, skrifven, Danish skrive, skrev, skreven (locally also weak); < Latin scrībere to write.

arch.

 1.

 a.

(a) trans. In Old English (const. dat.) To impose penance upon (a person); hence, to administer absolution to; to hear the confession of.

a776—1888 

(b) const. of (the sin).

c1275—1525 

 b. with extended application.

1607—1912

 c. absol. or intr. To perform the office of a confessor; to exercise the ministry of absolution; to hear confessions. rare.

c1000-50—1855

 

 2. pass. To ‘take shrift’ (see shrift n. 1); to be confessed; to make one's confession and receive absolution and penance. 

 a. Const. †of, by, †at, †with, or †to the confessor.

c1000—1882

 b. const. of, rarely from (the sin).

c1200—1821

 3.

 a. 

(a) refl. To make one's confession, go to confession, confess.

?c1225—1859

 (b) const. of (the sin).

?c1225—c1485

†b. with extended application. Also const. of (Sc.): To renounce. Obs.

c1374—1625

 

 4. 

 a. intr. To confess one's sins, go to confession.

a1300—1844

†b. Rendering Latin confiteri of the Vulgate: To ascribe praise and glory to God. Obs.

a1300—a1400

 

†5.

 a. trans. To confess (sins). Obs.

a1300—?c1450

†b. transf. To reveal, disclose. Obs.

c1374—1820

6. To forgive, pardon (a sin). rare.The first quot. is doubtful.

1303—1837

 

†7. 

 a. To question, examine (a person). Obs.

1592—1610

†b. ? To inquire into (a matter). Obs.

1651—1651

 

 8.

 a. To relieve (one) of a burden; †to rob.

1630—1899

 b. To remove, lift (a burden) from. rare.

1814—1814

†9. pass. ? To be bound in an obligation. Obs.

1338—1338

†10. trans. To reconcile (a person) to a course of action. Obs.

1587—1594

†11. Const. gen. in Old English, of in Middle English: To reck of, care for. Obs.

c897—a1400