Con*fess"or (?; 277), n.
[OF. confessor, F. confesseur, fr. L. & LL. confessor.]
1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges a fault, or the truth of
a charge, at
the risk of
suffering; specifically, one who confesses himself a follower of
Christ and endures persecution for his faith.
He who dies for religion is a martyr; he who suffers for it is a confessor.
Latham.
Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood of so many martyrs and
confessors.
Bacon.
2.
A priest who hears the confessions of others and is
authorized to grant them absolution.