confessionary 
confessionary (kon-fcsh'on-a-ri). ii. and . [< 
Ml. ."i-iinfi. -i.-iiniiiiriiif! (HIM it ".run j, Hxnniun 'u;, con- 
fession a I), < Li.eonfetSio(*-), con less i. in: seer.u/- 
fession.] I. . l j ertaining to or of the nature 
of auricular confession. 
A kind of ci>llj>-**n:inl i-if lilan\ 
1'n, I,, in ,, i:n.-|ioloi;ia (li;:.i p ,), p. ";'.i. 
II.".; pi. i-<iii_t'i-!ixi,>iiiiri<-*(-ri-/.). 1. Same as 
i-iiHj'i-x.iiiiiKil, 1. [ Kare.] 
WiM'oncur ill the opinion tbal these stalls . . . ban- 
ii.-.-n inipropt-rly termed wnfemtmtuitt -T .-.'iife^i'inuls. 
2. (a) A niche in the body of an altar, designed 
to contain relics. Also culled iilliir-ciiritif. (A) 
A chamber under or near an altar, intended 
for similar purposes: in this sense often used 
as equivalent to nnifi-xnioii, 4. 
Tin- original Savon i-athi-.lral of Canti-rbiu-y had a . -r>pt 
beneath the eutarn apw. . . "fabricated, according to 
l-.adnier. " in the likeness of th.- ,.,;,,-,, ,,f -, 
"' l<"""'-' ' Knriie. Brit., VI. 667. 
confession-chair (kon-fesh-on-chfir), n. Same 
as rilllft'X.iiiiHIll, 1. 
COnfes'sionist (kon-IVsh'on-ist), . [= F. <- 
fexxionMr = 1'g. roiiji-xximiixld ; as coiifi-/niiii + 
-int.'] 1. One who makes a profession of faith. 
Protestant and liomisb .-../i/,', 1 ., /,/.,. 
/.'/.. Mininliii,!,, Appeal toCiesiir, Ded. 
2. A Lutheran wlio held to the Augsburg for- 
mulary. (>. Slti/ili-i/. 
confessor (kon-fes'or ; formerly, and still often 
as the distinctive cognomen of the Anglo-Saxon 
king Edward III., kon'fes-or), w. [< ME. confes- 
XIIHI; confessor, < OF. wtfettor, F. confesseur 
= Sp. confesor = Pg. confessor = It. confessore, 
< LL. confessor, a confessor (of Christianity), a 
martyr, < L. confiteri. pp. confessus, confess : see 
confess.] 1. One who confesses ; one who ac- 
knowledges a crime, a fault, or an obligation. 
Her confession agreed exactly (which was afterwards 
verify 'd In the other cunfesion) with the accusations of the 
afflicted. c. Mather, Mag. Chris., vi. 7. 
2. One who makes a profession of his faith in the 
Christian religion ; specifically, one who avows 
his religion in the face of danger, and adheres 
to it in spite of persecution and torture, it was 
formerly used as synonymous with martyr; afterward it 
was applied to those who, having lieen persecuted and 
tormented, were permitted to die in peace ; and it was 
used also for such Christians as lived a good life and died 
with the reputation of sanctity : as, Edward the Con- 
feggor. 
The doctrine in the thirty-nine articles is so orthodox!} 
settled as cannot be questioned without danger to our re"- 
ligion, which hath been sealed with the blood of so many 
martyrs and cunjtssors. Bacon, Advice to Villiers. 
With him we likewise seat 
The sumptuous shrined king, good Edward, from the rest 
Of that renowned name by Confemtor express'd. 
Drayton, Polyolblon, xxiv. 1O66 
3. One who hears confessions; specifically, a 
priest who hears confession and grants abso- 
lution ; distinctively, as a title of office, a priest 
employed as a private spiritual director, as of 
a king or other great personage. Formerly, at 
European court*, the office of confessor was a very im- 
portant one, giving its incumbent great privileges and in- 
fluence, and often great power politically. 
Hys confemiour come, hym gan to confesse, 
And ther beforn hym made to say a messe. 
Rom. of Partrnay (E. E. T. S.), 1. 6094. 
Sometyme confettnour to the kynge your father. 
Berners, tr. of Froissart's Chron., II. cxxix. 
Such is my name, and such my tale, 
Confessor .' to thy secret ear 
I breathe the sorrows I bewail. 
Byron, The Giaour. 
The queen's tenderness of conscience led her to take 
counsel of her cotifengor, not merely in regard to her own 
spiritual concerns, but all the great measures of her ad- 
ministration. Preseott, Ferd. and Isa., ii. 5. 
confest (kon-fesf). An old and occasional 
modern preterit and past participle of confess. 
So Samson to his foe his force confent; 
And to be shorn lay slumbering on her breast 
Dryden, The Medal, 1. 73. 
confestlyt (kon-fesfli), adv. An old spelling 
Of COIlflKHIllljl. 
Tlnit principle . . . eonfettly predominant in our na- 
ture. Decay of Christian Pii-li/. 
confett, confetet, . Obsolete forms of comfit. 
confetto (kpn-fet'to), n. : pi. ,-<mf, -Hi (-ti). [It., 
< ML. conffctitiH, a sweetmeat : see coiifei-t, n.. 
and com til, n.] 1. A bonbon or sweetmeat. 2. 
A small pellet made of lime or plaster in imi- 
t at ion of a bonbon, used in Italv during car- 
nival-time by the revelers for pelting one an- 
other in the streets. 
confident* (kon-fish'ent), a. [< L. confcie(t-)s. 
ppr. of conficin; produce, cause, effect : see con- 
.I'n-t, r.] Efficient; effective; able. 
confidential 
confidant ( kon-fi-dant'), ii. [ < K. ronfntiiiit. in.. To take (n person) Into one's confidence, u. . onmiuni 
confidante, I'., now i-nnliilinl. m., <-..,/ tiilint, f wUsome private matter or atUr to him, or to < fid.- 
IN .-. ,>/,-/.] 1. A person intrusted with the JjfllV ''"TV' 'T'!''''',' '' 
eonfldeno* of wwther j oneto whom secrete are confident, kon.-dent) ,,. ;,,! . r^jf 
confided; a confidential friend ''',',"' """' ''""'"'' "'""">'" confidential 
11,11.., :ill , v " s " noun), in ol.l.-r form i-iintinnl. con- 
""* "* '4?S& 1 E6 , M ';:';"7 '""' i ' 1 "" 1 - "* = j- v. - - 
Marttae ,K,,| bis bill,, ,|.,,,v and ,,,l,-n,t,-d it t.. hi, "'?'/'' '""."'''"' = " '"'"'""'. < \i. <,/,- 
myUMt tlen(t-)s, confident, i. e., aelf-oonfldent, in good 
ll.-l.iohn A.laninl bad but on.- iimfiil.int. bi, ,f,- , but '"' ''"' > -'' ll> ''- 1| " 1 ' 1 - diiring. audacious, impudent, 
one Intimat.- fi-u-n.l. ib.- mother ,,f his .bii.ii.-n prop. ppr. of citfii/rn\ trust fiillv, confide: see 
fl I.I,.,..,,:. : .-I J, . . ^ ~ * 
I': 
2f. A part of a woman's coiffure usual in the 
s.-vent(-i-nth century; a small curl worn near 
the eiir. 
confidante (kon-fi-danf), . [Sec i-<ini'i<tni,t.} 
A female confidant. 
Von do not -,.-,- on.- In-in-ns in a hundred hose faU does 
not turn UIK.II this eir. -umstaiiee "f .-I. l,,,,t. 
SI..I,; Speetat.ir, So. 11,. 
confide (kon -fill' ). c. ; pret. and ]i)i. i-niijiilnl, ]>pr. 
coH/iV///,,/. [ = (i|-\ ,-niiJiili r, ron l'i ili r. iilso ni- 
,'in: F. i-initii,- IV. i-imjiil,,,- Sp. l' K . i-nntiiii- 
i-'iiitii/i. an, I ,-f. 'i-niiiiiliiiil.\ 
strong belief; fully "assured. 
I. ' a. 1. Having 
= It. confidare, < ML.'ctinJidare for L. 
I ai" <i.l fully periiiiaded, vet dan- not take 
IN) oath lit my saha- 
Hi I liido M.-.li.i, 1.68. 
' "' that much may be done toward tl 
provement of philo*op)i\. 
2. Confiding; not entertaining suspicion or 
.li-'nist. 
Koine, be us jimt and Kra<:lollK unto ,,.. 
An I am coitl"!. nl an. I kinil t" i 
Shak.. Tit. And., I. 1. 
3. Belying on one's self ; full of assurance ; 
., . 
trust fully, lie assured, 'confide, rely. < mm-, '" M > 'netimes, overbold. 
' 
together, + ./Mm-, trust: see faith, jideiity.] I'. 
in i runs. To have faith; place tnist; repose 
.-.'iifidence: used absolutely or with in ; as, the 
prince conjiilnl in his ministers. 
Me alone won't betiav. in nhoiu none will .... 
Congreoe, Love for l>ive. 
Judge before friendship, then confide till death. 
>'""7, Night Thoughts, II. 570. 
II. trans. To intrust; commit unreservedly 
to the charge, knowledge, or good faith of: fol- 
lowed by to : as, to confide something valuable 
to one ; to confide a secret to some one ; a prince 
confides a negotiation to his envoy. 
Thou art the only one to whom I dare confide my folly. 
Lord J.i/lteltini, Persian Letters. 
= Syn. Intrtut, Consign, etc. See <-... m ii 
confidence (kon'fi-dens), n. [= D. konfidenUe 
= . (iintli/tni-f, intimacy, a secret, a (legal) 
trust, in older form confiance', confidence, trust. 
Both valiant, as men despising death ; l^.th i-i,nri,l,-,,i 
u unwonted to be overcome. ,v,v / 
The fool rageth, and U confident. l-i . ,v. xlv. la. 
As confident as is Uie falcon's night 
Against a bird, do I with Mowhray tight. 
Shat., Blch. II., I. 3. 
It Is hard to say that there hath ever Iwen an Age 
wherein vice, such as the very Heathens abhorred hath 
been more confident and daring than in tbi, 
'. -ermoiiK, I. viil. 
Do you think I could ever catch at the .,/,././ a .l- 
dream of a secure admirer? 
Ooldtiaith, She Stoops to Conquer, v. 
4f. Giving occasion for confidence. [Rare.] 
The cause was more confident than the event wai pros- 
perous. j er Taylor. 
Confident person. In Scot* latr, a partner In trade; a 
factor, steward, or confidential man of business also i 
servant or other dependant. = Syn. 1. Sure, Certain Con- 
fident, Poritiee, Dogmatic. Sure ls the simplest and most 
general of these words ; It has the strength of simplicity. 
reliance, assurance, OF. confiance = Pr. con- C'^nm suggests the Idea of having been freed from doubt 
having been made sure. Confident belongs especially In 
the Held of reliant action ; as, he is confident of success. 
mre, or it may suggest reliance, as on one's own judgment 
or upon evidence : as, a confident expectation, hope, twllef 
It implies a desire for that of which one is confident. 
Piaitire runs close f- ----- 
= Sp. cnnfidvncia, c<ifian:a = Pg. con- 
< L. eonfidentia, confidence, self-confidence' 
audacity, impudence, < eonfide)i(t-)n, confident, 
self-confident: see confide nt.] 1. Assurance of 
mind or firm belief in the good will, integrity, he was ,**'",,v Tat h 
stability, or veracity of another, or in the truth 
or certainty of a proposition or an assertion ; 
trust; reliance. 
It U better to trust in the Lord than to put ./!/;./, ,.. in 
'nan. Pj. cxviii. . 
Society IB built upon trust, and trust upon confidence of 
one another's Integrity. South. 
A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macavlay. 
2. Reliance on one's own powers, resources, or 
circumstances ; belief in one's own competency ; 
self-reliance ; assurance. 
His times being rather prosperous than calm, had raised 
his confidence by success. Bacon, Hist. Hen. VII. 
At first she touched her lute with a faltering hand, but 
gathering confidence and animation as she proceeded, drew 
forth . . . soft aerial harmony. Irviny, Alhambra, p. 367. 
3. That in which trust is placed; ground of 
trust ; one who or that which gives assurance 
or security. [Archaic.] 
The Lord shall be thy confidence. Prov. ill. 26. 
Trust not to the omnipotency of gold, and say not unto 
It, Thouartmy<-oiyf<f/KTp. Sir 7". Broit-ne, Christ. Mor.,i. 8. 
4. Boldness ; courage ; disregard or defiance of 
danger. 
Preaching the kingdom of God . . . with all confidence. 
Acts xxvlil. si. confidential (kon-fi-den'shal), a. [= D. konfi- 
thee on; secure dentieel = Dan. konfidentiel, < F. confidentiel =. 
emphatic certainty that will not entertain a doubt of Its 
correctness. (For dogmatic, see magisterial.) Thatr./ji/i- 
drnt unilnontine depend somewhat upon the will, and not 
merely, like mre and certain, upon the understanding, is 
shown by the fact that It ls not correct to say " I will not 
lie certain, or mre, alMiut this," while it is correct to say 
" I will not be poritive, or confident, about It." 
I am mre I did but speak. Tennymn, Maud, xix 3. 
.Now, therefore, do I rest, 
A prophet certain of my prophecy, 
That never shadow of mistrust can cross 
Between us. Tennyion, Geraint. 
I am confident if he ICaptaln Swan) had made a motion 
to go to any English Factory, most of his Men would have 
consented to It. Dampier, Voyages, I. S64. 
Some notitift, persisting fops we know, 
Who, if once wrong, will needs l>e always so. 
Pope, Essay on criticism, I. 568. 
H.t n. A confidant. 
In so great reputation of sanctity, so mighty concourse 
of people, such great multitudes of disciples and confi- 
dent*, and such throngs of admirers, he was humble with- 
out mixtures of vanity. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (cd. 1836), 1. 86. 
You love me for no other end 
Than to become my confident and friend ; 
As such I keep no secret from your sight. 
Dryden, Aurengzetw. 
. fidenti 
Sp. Pg. confidential = It. confidenziale, < L. 
if'confidentialis, < confidentia, confidence: 
5. A secret; a private or confidential commu- confidence.'} 1. Enjoying the confidence of an- 
me jltinTl ! a-; to *-\ i-lnt o.r., pi\ti"fi/1t>tn*fo f-<__jt iilloir- . i it ,-o^t n. I n-i*l. ........... **. ..:,!. ...:.... 
Hut cinifidence then bore thee <-.. , __. 
Either to meet no danger, or to find 
Matter of glorious trial. Milton, f. L., Ix. 1175. 
as 
see 
nication: as, to exchange confidences Confi- 
dence game, a kind of swindle practised principally in 
large cities UIMHI unwary strangers, the swindler, usually 
under the pretense of old acquaintance, gaining the con- 
fidence of his victim, and then robbing or fleecing him 
at cards or betting, or otherwise; bunko. Confidence 
man, one who endeavors to swindle strangers by the con- 
fidence game ; a bunko-steerer ; one who by a plausible 
story, and with great assurance, gains the confidence of 
another, with a dishonest purpose. In confidence as 
a secret or private matter, not to be divulged or com- 
municated to others: as, I told him m confidence. 
I shall only send over a very few copies to very partic- 
ular friends, in confidence, and burn the rest. 
Jefferson, in Bancroft's Hist. Const., I. 437. 
In the confidence Of, sharing or trusted with the private 
opinions, plans, or purposes of. 
They all were inclined to believe that I was a man in the 
nniMcnce of AH Bey, and that his hostile designs against 
.Mecca were laid aside. Bruce, Source of the Nile, I. 253 
other; intrusted with secrets or with private 
affairs: as, a confidential friend or clerk. 2. 
Intended to be treated as private, or kept in 
confidence; spoken or written in confidence; 
secret. 
A confidential correspondence. Chetterfield. 
Confidential communications. 
Burke , A Regicide Peace, ill. 
Confidential communication. See nrinleaed com- 
i/niiiii-ation, under communication. Confidential rela- 
tion, in laic, a relation of parties, as that of attorney and 
client, guardian and ward, in which one Is hound to act 
for the benefit of the other, anil can take no advantage to 
himself from his acts relating to the interests of the other. 
Such a relation arises whenever a continuous trust Is re- 
posed by one person In the skill or integrity of another, or 
when any property, or the pecuniary or personal interest 
of a | HTSOII. or the custody of bis body, Is placed in charge 
of another. 
