confession Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an admission of misdeeds or faults
noun a written document acknowledging an offense and signed by the guilty party
noun (Roman Catholic Church) the act of a penitent disclosing his sinfulness before a priest in the sacrament of penance in the hope of absolution
noun a public declaration of your faith
noun the document that spells out the belief system of a given church (especially the Reformation churches of the 16th century)

F. confession, L. confessio.

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 confession Of his true state. Shak.
Acknowledgment of belief; profession of one's faith.
With the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Rom. x. 10.
(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.
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.
(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. Mozley & W.