v. t. [ imp. Shrived r Shrove p. p. Shriven r Shrived; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriving. ] [ OE. shriven, schriven, AS. scrīvan to shrive, to impose penance or punishment; akin to OFries. skrīva to impose punishment; cf. OS. biskrīban to be troubled. Cf. Shrift, Shrovetide. ] 1. To hear or receive the confession of; to administer confession and absolution to; -- said of a priest as the agent. [ 1913 Webster ]

That they should shrive their parishioners. Piers Plowman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . .
Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Till my guilty soul be shriven. Longfellow. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To confess, and receive absolution; -- used reflexively. [ 1913 Webster ]

Get you to the church and shrive yourself. Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To receive confessions, as a priest; to administer confession and absolution. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Shriveled r Shrivelled; p. pr. & vb. n. Shriveling or Shrivelling. ] [ Probably akin to shrimp, shrink; cf. dial. AS. screpa to pine away, Norw. skrypa to waste, skryp, skryv, transitory, frail, Sw. skröpling feeble, Dan. skröbelig, Icel. skrj&unr_;pr brittle, frail. ] To draw, or be drawn, into wrinkles; to shrink, and form corrugations; as, a leaf shriveles in the hot sun; the skin shrivels with age; -- often with up. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to shrivel or contract; to cause to shrink onto corruptions. [ 1913 Webster ]

p. p. of Shrive. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who shrives; a confessor. [ 1913 Webster ]