shrift

[Bailey]

shrift(shrft)
n. Archaic
1. The act of shriving.
2. Confession to a priest.
3. Absolution given by a priest. See Note at short shrift.



[Middle English, from Old English scrift, from Latin scrptum, something written, from neuter past participle of scrbere, to write; see shrive.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

mark I've-only-had-the-short-version Bailey
but not bad for a chimp, or is that chump?

[Slava]

dictionary.com has some extra meanings:

1. the imposition of penance by a priest on a penitent after confession.
2. absolution or remission of sins granted after confession and penance.
3. confession to a priest.

The "imposition of penance" is important.

Then again, we have "short shrift":

1. a brief time for confession or absolution given to a condemned prisoner before his or her execution.
2. little attention or consideration in dealing with a person or matter: to give short shrift to an opponent's arguments.

Rather different definitions there, don't you agree?

[Perry]

Well what could be a shorter shrift than " a brief time for confession or absolution given to a condemned prisoner before his or her execution"?

Make it snappy, we have a schedule to keep.