shriven
Definition
Verb (past participle of shrive): - To have been granted absolution after confessing one's sins, especially in a religious or formal context. It describes a state where someone has undergone the act of confession and received forgiveness.
Usage Examples
- (She had confessed her sins and received absolution.)
- (He had been absolved of his wrongdoings before combat.)
- (He was forgiven and felt relieved after confession.)
Advanced Usage
"to be shriven": to be in a state of having confessed and received absolution.
- The dying man wished to be shriven before his final moments. (He desired to confess and be forgiven.)
"shriven soul": a person who has been absolved; often used in poetic or archaic language.
- The shriven soul walked away from the altar with renewed hope. (The forgiven person felt spiritually cleansed.)
Variants and Related Words
Shrive (verb, base form): to hear a confession and grant absolution.
- The priest will shrive the penitent at evening mass. (The priest will hear the confession and forgive.)
Shriving (noun): the act of confessing and receiving absolution.
- Shriving was a common practice before major holidays. (The ritual of confession was traditional.)
Synonyms
- Absolved: formally released from guilt or sin.
- Forgiven: granted pardon for wrongdoing.
- Cleansed: purified, especially from moral or spiritual guilt.
Related Idioms
"to shrive oneself": to confess one's own sins.
- He went to the monastery to shrive himself of his many transgressions. (He confessed his sins voluntarily.)
"a shriven man": a person who has been absolved; often used in historical or literary contexts.
- In the old tales, a shriven man was considered ready for any trial. (A forgiven person was seen as spiritually prepared.)