confess

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to admit, usually to a wrongdoing

   I confessed that I had taken the money.

2. 2
   verb

   to admit to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure

   We made them confess to every crime they'd committed.

3. 3
   verb

   To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.

   I confess to spray-painting all over that mural!

4. 4
   verb

   To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.

   Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess, also, before my Father which is in heaven.

5. 5
   verb

   To unburden (oneself) of sins to God or a priest, in order to receive absolution.

   If we confesse our sinnes, hee is faithfull, & iust to forgiue vs our sinnes, and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse.

6. 6
   verb

   To hear or receive such a confession of sins from.

   1523–1525, John Bourchier, 2nd Baron Berners (translator), Froissart's Chronicles He […] heard mass, and the prince, his son, with him, and the most part of his company were confessed.

7. 7
   verb

   To disclose or reveal.

   Tall thriving trees confess;d the fruitful mould.

8. 8
   verb

   to confess to God in the presence of a priest, as in the Catholic faith

Etymology

From Middle English confessen, from Anglo-Norman confesser, from Old French confesser, from Latin confessus (Old French confés), past participle of cōnfiteor (“to confess, admit”) from con- + fateor (“to admit”). Displaced Middle English andetten (“to confess, admit”) (from Old English andettan). Doublet of confiteor. Sense 6 is a calque of 告白 (kokuhaku).