confess
UK: kənˈfɛs | US: kənˈfɛs
vt. to admit or acknowledge something, typically a fault or wrongdoing
vt. to declare one's sins formally to a priest (in religious context)
vi. to make a confession
confess = con<together, thoroughly> + fess<speak>
- con: A Latin prefix meaning "together" or "thoroughly," often intensifying the root's meaning.
- fess: Derived from Latin fateri (to speak, admit), later evolving into Old French confesser.
Etymology Origin:
The word "confess" traces back to Latin confiteri (to acknowledge, admit), combining con- (thoroughly) and fateri (to speak). It entered English via Old French confesser, retaining its core meaning of openly admitting truths, especially faults or sins. The religious connotation (confessing to a priest) emerged in Medieval Latin and was reinforced by Christian practices.
She finally decided to confess her mistake to the teacher.
In Catholicism, believers confess their sins during sacrament.
The suspect refused to confess despite the evidence.
He confessed to feeling nervous before the speech.
"I ate the last cookie," the child confessed with a guilty smile.