confession
UK: kənˈfeʃən | US: kənˈfeʃən
n. a formal statement admitting one's guilt or wrongdoing
n. the act of disclosing one's sins to a priest in a religious context
n. an acknowledgment or admission of a belief or feeling
confession = con<together> + fess<speak> + ion<noun suffix>
- con<together>: From Latin con-, meaning "with" or "together."
- fess<speak>: From Latin fateri (past participle fessus), meaning "to acknowledge" or "to speak."
- ion<noun suffix>: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action or process.
Etymology Origin:
The word confession traces back to Latin confessio, derived from confiteri ("to acknowledge" or "to admit"). The prefix con- emphasizes collective or shared action, while fess (from fateri) relates to speaking openly. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote admitting guilt (legal or religious) or expressing personal truths. The suffix -ion solidifies it as a noun describing the act itself.
She made a heartfelt confession about her mistakes.
In Catholicism, confession is a sacrament for spiritual cleansing.
His confession to the crime shocked everyone in the courtroom.
The diary contained a confession of his unspoken love.
After years of silence, her confession brought relief.