What does shriven mean?
The adjective shriven refers to a person who has been forgiven for their sins, typically through the process of confession and penance. This term is often used in a spiritual or religious context, particularly in reference to the Catholic sacrament of penance, where an individual seeks absolution for their wrongdoings. When someone is shriven, they have received forgiveness and are considered to be in a state of spiritual purity. This concept is important in many religious traditions, as it provides a means for individuals to seek redemption and make amends for past mistakes. The term is derived from the verb 'shrive,' which means to hear the confession of and to absolve.
adjectiveAbsolved or forgiven for one's sins, typically through confession and penance.
- Having been forgiven for one's sins
- Having received absolution
"The priest smiled, knowing his parishioner was shriven and at peace."
"After confessing his sins, he felt shriven and ready to start anew."
"The community celebrated the shriven souls who had sought forgiveness."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of shriven
The term shriven originates from the verb 'shrive,' which is derived from the Old French word 'escrivre,' meaning 'to write' or 'to dictate.' In the context of confession, the priest would write down the sins of the penitent, and thus 'shrive' came to mean 'to hear the confession of' and 'to absolve.' The adjective shriven has been in use since the 14th century to describe individuals who have received forgiveness for their sins.
How shriven is actually used
Often used in a spiritual or religious context, particularly in reference to the Catholic sacrament of penance.