With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom. x. 10.
3. (Eccl.) The act of disclosing sins or faults to a priest in order to obtain sacramental absolution.
Auricular confession . . . or the private and special confession of sins to a priest for the purpose of obtaining his absolution.
Hallam.
4. A formulary in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission to membership of a church; a confession of faith.
5. (Law) An admission by a party to whom an act is imputed, in relation to such act. A judicial confession settles the issue to which it applies; an extrajudical confession may be explained or rebutted. Wharton.
Confession and avoidance (Law), a mode of pleading in which the party confesses the facts as stated by his adversary, but alleges some new matter by way of avoiding the legal effect claimed for them. Mozley & W.
Confession of faith, a formulary containing the articles of faith; a creed. -- General confession, the confession of sins made by a number of persons in common, as in public prayer. -- Westminster Confession. See Westminster Assembly, under Assembly.
Con*fes"sion*al (?), n. [F. confessional.] The recess, seat, or inclosed place, where a priest sits to hear confessions; often a small structure furnished with a seat for the priest and with a window or aperture so that the penitent who is outside may whisper into the priest's ear without being seen by him or heard by others.
Con*fes"sion*al, a. Pertaining to a confession of faith.
Confessional equality, equality before the law of persons confessing different creeds.
Con*fes"sion*al*ism (?), n. (Eccl.) An exaggerated estimate of the importance of giving full assent to any particular formula of the Christian faith. Shaff.
Con*fes"sion*al*ist, n. A priest hearing, or sitting to hear, confession. [R.] Boucher
Con*fes"sion*a*ry (?), n. [LL. confessionarium.] A confessional. [Obs.] Johnson.
Con*fes"sion*a*ry, a. Pertaining to auricular confession; as, a confessionary litany.
Con*fes"sion*ist, n. [Cf. F. confessioniste.] One professing a certain faith. Bp. Montagu.
Con*fess"or (?; 277), n. [OF. confessor, F. confesseur, fr. L. & LL. confessor.] 1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges a fault, or the truth of a charge, at the risk of suffering; specifically, one who confesses himself a follower of Christ and endures persecution for his faith.
He who dies for religion is a martyr; he who suffers for it is a confessor.
Latham.
Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood of so many martyrs and confessors.
Bacon.
2. A priest who hears the confessions of others and is authorized to grant them absolution.
Con*fess"or*ship, n. The act or state of suffering persecution for religious faith.
Our duty to contend even to confessorship.
J. H. Newman.
Con*fest"ly (?), adv. See Cofessedly.
{ Con`fi*dant" (?); 277), n. masc., Con`fi*dante" (?; 277), n. fem. }[F. confident, confidente, formerly also spelt confidant, confidante. See Confide, and cf. Confident.] One to whom secrets, especially those relating to affairs of love, are confided or intrusted; a confidential or bosom friend.
You love me for no other end
Than to become my confidant and friend;
As such I keep no secret from your sight.
Dryden.
Con*fide" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Confided; p. pr. & vb. n. Confiding.] [L. confidere; con- + fidere to trust. See Faith, and cf. Affiance.] To put faith (in); to repose confidence; to trust; -- usually followed by in; as, the prince confides in his ministers.
By thy command I rise or fall,
In thy protection I confide.
Byron.
Judge before friendships, then confide till death.
Young.
Con*fide", v. t. To intrust; to give in charge; to commit to one's keeping; -- followed by to.
Congress may . . . confide to the Circuit jurisdiction of all offenses against the United States.
Story.
Con"fi*dence (?), n. [L. confidentia firm trust in, self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.] 1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in; trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now commonly by in.
Society is built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of one another's integrity.
South.
A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
Macaulay.