noun

confessor

kun-FES-er/kənˈfesər/

A priest who hears confessions of sin.

The confessor listens through the lattice as the adult speaks.

Catholic priest hears adult confession through simple confessional lattice, stole and calm listening posture, nonjudgmental scene.

Etymology

conLatintogether; adds emphasis

+fessLatinto admit

+orLatinperson who acts

The pieces originally describe someone who acknowledges or avows, especially someone professing faith despite danger. The priestly sense shifts the role from the person making the avowal to the person hearing admissions of sin.

In context

Storytime Haven370:00

I should have to go to the priest, to my confessor. Your confessor? Do you go to confession?

📖 Whosoever Shall Offend ✨ by F. Marion Crawford

More examples

The confessor listened before offering spiritual counsel.
A trusted confessor heard the penitent's admission.
He returned to the same confessor each month.

Forms

confessor · confessors

Similar words

priest: Priest names the religious office; confessor describes the role of hearing confession.
penitent: The penitent confesses; the confessor receives the confession.