Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Confession
Con-fes′sion
,Noun.
[F.
confession
, L. confessio
.] 1.
Acknowledgment; avowal, especially in a matter pertaining to one’s self; the admission of a debt, obligation, or crime.
With a crafty madness keeps aloof,
When we would bring him on to some
Of his true state.
When we would bring him on to some
confession
Of his true state.
Shakespeare
2.
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.
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
.Webster 1828 Edition
Confession
CONFES'SION
,Noun.
1.
The acknowledgment of a crime, fault or something to one's disadvantage; open declaration of guilt, failure, debt, accusation, &c.With the mouth confession is made to salvation. Romans 10.
2.
Avowal; the act of acknowledging; profession.Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession. 1 Timothy 6.
3.
The act of disclosing sins or faults to a priest; the disburdening of the conscience privately to a confessor; sometimes called auricular confession.4.
A formulary in which the articles of faith are comprised; a creed to be assented to or signed, as a preliminary to admission into a church.5.
The acknowledgment of a debt by a debtor before a justice of the peace, &c., on which judgment is entered and execution issued.