— confessable , adj. — confessingly , adv.
/keuhn fes"/ , v.t.
1. to acknowledge or avow (a fault, crime, misdeed, weakness, etc.) by way of revelation.
2. to own or admit as true: I must confess that I haven't read the book.
3. to declare or acknowledge (one's sins), esp. to God or a priest in order to obtain absolution.
4. (of a priest) to hear the confession of (a person).
5. to acknowledge one's belief or faith in; declare adherence to.
6. to reveal by circumstances.
v.i.
7. to make confession; plead guilty; own: to confess to a crime.
8. to make confession of sins, esp. to a priest.
9. (of a priest) to hear confession.
[ 1300-50; ME confessen confesser confessare, v. deriv. of L confessus, ptp. of confiteri to admit, confess, equiv. to con- CON- + -fiteri, comb. form of fateri to admit ]
Syn. 1. See acknowledge. 2. grant, concede.
Ant. 1. conceal. 2. deny.