shrift

  • 1Shrift — Shrift, n. [OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scr[=i]fan to shrive. See {Shrive}.] 1. The act of shriving. [1913 Webster] In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2shrift — [ ʃrıft ] noun short shrift a firm and immediate refusal to do something, give something, or deal with something in a sympathetic way: I ll give them short shrift if they ask me for money! Any mention of overworked teachers gets short shrift from …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 3shrift — [shrift] n. [ME schrift < OE scrift < scrifan, to SHRIVE] Archaic 1. confession to and absolution by a priest 2. the act of shriving: See also SHORT SHRIFT …

    English World dictionary

  • 4Shrift — may refer to: * Shrift (band), a band with Nina Miranda * Confession * Absolution …

    Wikipedia

  • 5shrift — [ʃrıft] →get/be given short shrift at ↑short1 (15) …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 6shrift — O.E. scrift confession to priest, followed by penance and absolution, verbal noun from scrifan to impose penance (see SHRIVE (Cf. shrive)). Short shrift originally was the brief time for a condemned criminal to confess before execution (1590s);… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 7shrift — /shrift/, n. Archaic. 1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession. 2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance. 3. confession to a priest. [bef. 900; ME; OE scrift penance; c. G, D schrift… …

    Universalium

  • 8shrift — /ʃrɪft / (say shrift) noun Archaic 1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession. 2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance. 3. confession to a priest. 4. the act of shriving. –phrase 5.… …

  • 9shrift — noun /ʃɹɪft/ a) The act of going to or hearing a religious confession. (Friar:) Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift. / Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift. b) Confession to a priest. See Also: shrive, short shrift …

    Wiktionary

  • 10shrift — [[t]ʃrɪ̱ft[/t]] PHRASE: PHR after v If someone or something gets short shrift, they are paid very little attention. The idea has been given short shrift by philosophers …

    English dictionary