confess

Meaning

Verb

• To admit to the truth, particularly in the context of sins or crimes committed.
• To acknowledge faith in; to profess belief in.
• To unburden (oneself) of sins to God or a priest, in order to receive absolution.
• To hear or receive such a confession of sins from.
• To disclose or reveal.

Origin

• From Middle English confessen, from Anglo-Norman confesser, from Old French confesser, from Medieval Latin confessō ("I confess"), a derivative of Latin confessus (Old French confés), past participle of cōnfiteor from con- + fateor. Displaced Middle English andetten ("to confess, admit") (from Old English andettan).