SHRIEVALTY
Shriev"al*ty, n. Etym: [Contr. from sheriffalty. See Shrieve, n.
Sheriff.]
Defn: The office, or sphere of jurisdiction, of a sheriff;
sheriffalty.
It was ordained by 28 Edward I that the people shall have election of
sheriff in every shire where the shrievalty is not of inheritance.
Blackstone.
SHRIEVE
Shrieve, n. Etym: [Contr. from OE. shereve. See Sheriff.]
Defn: A sheriff. [Obs.] Shak.
SHRIEVE
Shrieve, v. t.
Defn: To shrive; to question. [Obs.] "She gan him soft to shrieve."
Spenser.
SHRIFT Shrift, n. Etym: [OE. shrift, schrift, AS. scrift, fr. scrifan to shrive. See Shrive.]
1. The act of shriving. In shrift and preaching is my diligence. Chaucer.
2. Confession made to a priest, and the absolution consequent upon it. Chaucer. Have you got leave to go to shrift to-day Shak. Therefore, my lord, address you to your shrift, And be yourself; for you must die this instant. Rowe. Shrift father, a priest to whom confession is made.
SHRIGHT
Shright, obs.