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v. con·fessed, con·fess·ing, con·fess·es v.tr. 1. To disclose (something damaging or inconvenient to oneself); admit. See Synonyms at acknowledge. 2. To acknowledge belief or faith in; profess: confess one's religion. 3. a. To make known (one's sins) to God or to a priest. b. To hear the confession of (a penitent). v.intr. 1. To admit or acknowledge something damaging or inconvenient to oneself: The suspect confessed to the crime. 2. To disclose one's sins to a priest. [Middle English confessen, from Old French confesser, from Vulgar Latin *cōnfessāre, from Latin cōnfitērī, cōnfess- : com-, intensive pref.; see COM- + fatērī, to admit; see bhā-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] con·fessa·ble adj. con·fessed·ly (-ĭd-lē) adv. |
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