1. the hearing of a confession by a priest
Usage: archaic; religious
2. little or no consideration or attention (used in the phrase ‘short shrift’)
Usage: idiomatic

Examples

• The priest gave shrift to the penitent parishioner.
• In medieval times, criminals were often given short shrift before execution.
• The proposal received short shrift from the committee.
• His complaints were given short shrift by management.
• The old tradition of shrift has largely disappeared from modern practice.
• The judge gave short shrift to the defendant’s excuses.