confess

Meaning

  1. (intransitive, transitive) To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.
  2. (transitive) To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.
  3. To unburden (oneself) of sins to God or a priest, in order to receive absolution.
  4. (transitive) To hear or receive such a confession of sins from.
  5. (transitive) To disclose or reveal.
  6. (Japanese) To profess one's love.

Frequency

B2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/kənˈfɛs/
Etymology

In summary

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

Notes

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