shrift

shrift
shrift 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); figurative extension to "little or no consideration" is first attested 1814.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Shrift — 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

  • shrift — [ 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

  • shrift — [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

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

  • shrift — [ʃrıft] →get/be given short shrift at ↑short1 (15) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • shrift — /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

  • shrift — /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.… …  

  • shrift — 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

  • shrift — [[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

  • shrift — See: SHORT SHRIFT …   Dictionary of American idioms

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