CONFESSIONAL Meaning and
Definition
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Confessional is an adjective that refers to something related to the confession or disclosure of personal thoughts, experiences, or secrets. It pertains to the act of openly expressing or revealing private information, especially in a personal or intimate context. It may be manifested through various forms of communication, such as writing, art, or speech, and is often associated with self-reflection, emotional catharsis, or seeking absolution.
In a religious context, the term confessional commonly refers to a specific area, booth, or space where individuals confess their sins, seeking forgiveness from a religious authority or deity. This practice is particularly prevalent in certain Christian denominations, such as Catholicism, where the confessional is a sacrament known as the sacrament of reconciliation or penance. This sacramental confession is a personal and confidential communication between an individual and a priest, allowing for the disclosure of sins and receiving absolution and spiritual guidance.
From a literary perspective, the confessional genre emerged in the mid-20th century, characterized by the frank and unfiltered expression of personal experiences in poetry or prose. Confessional writing often involves themes of mental health, relationships, sexuality, and identity, and is notable for its raw honesty and self-revelation. Prominent poets associated with confessional poetry include Sylvia Plath, Anne Sexton, and Robert Lowell.
Overall, the term confessional encompasses the act of disclosing personal information or experiences, often with a sense of emotional catharsis, seeking absolution, or literary expression.
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The place where a priest sits to hear confessions.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CONFESSIONAL *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CONFESSIONAL
Etymology of CONFESSIONAL
The word confessional originated from the Latin word confessionalis, which is derived from the Latin verb confiteri, meaning to confess. The suffix -al is added to form an adjective. In Latin, confiteri itself is a combination of con, which is an intensifying prefix, and fateri, meaning to confess or to acknowledge. The term later passed into Old French as confessionel, and eventually into Middle English as confessional.
Similar spelling words for CONFESSIONAL
- confection,
- non-confessional,
- multi-confessional,
- confusingly,
- confectioner,
- confession,
- confessed,
- confusion,
- confessor,
- confessionally,
- compassion,
- compassionate,
- confusing,
- confiscation,
- confusional,
- compassionately,
- confessedly.
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