confession etymology

Etymology

The word "confession" comes from the Latin word "confessio," which is derived from the verb "confiteri," meaning "to confess, to admit, or to acknowledge."

Meaning and Origin

In its original Latin sense, "confessio" referred to the public admission or acknowledgment of guilt or wrongdoing. This concept was particularly significant in the context of the ancient Roman legal system, where defendants were expected to confess their crimes in order to receive a more lenient punishment.

Over time, the meaning of "confessio" evolved to include not only the admission of wrongdoing but also the act of expressing one's sins or beliefs openly. This usage was particularly prevalent in religious contexts, where individuals would confess their sins to a priest or other religious authority as part of the process of seeking forgiveness.

In the modern English language, "confession" has a more general meaning, referring to the act of disclosing or acknowledging something, whether it be a sin, a secret, or a belief. It can also imply the admission of a weakness or fault.

Examples of Usage

• "The defendant made a full confession to the murder."
• "The patient confessed to having experienced hallucinations."
• "The politician confessed to having accepted bribes during his time in office."
• "The couple made a confession of love to each other."
• "The journalist wrote a confession about her struggles with addiction."

confession relate terms

• confess

  Etymology Middle English confessen from Old French confesser from Latin confessus p

• confessor

  Etymology Latin confessōr from confessus confessed past participle of confiteri

• confessed

  Etymology From Middle English confessed from Old French confesser from Latin confessu

• shrift

  Etymology The word shrift derives from the Old English word scrift which means con

• shrive

  Etymology The word shrive comes from an Old English word scrīfan which means to c

• creed

  Etymology Latin credo I believe Meaning A set of beliefs principles or doct

• acrophobia

  Etymology Acro Greek high Phobia Greek fear Meaning Acrophobia is an int

• joke

  Etymology The word joke originates from the Middle English term jopen meaning to j

• coven

  Etymology The word coven comes from the Middle English word covent which in turn der

• gospel

  Etymology and Origin The term gospel comes from the Old English word godspel which

• declaration

  Etymology Declaration is derived from the Latin word declarare meaning to make clear

• admission

  Etymology Admission comes from the Latin word admittere meaning to allow to enter