Part 451

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.

2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.

The Lord shall be thy confidence. Prov. iii. 26.

3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.

Your wisdom is consumed in confidence; Do not go forth to-day. Shak.