[f. CONFESS + -ANT1, corresp. to F. confessant, med.L. confessānt-em pr. pple.] One who confesses or makes a confession, esp. as a religious duty.
a. 1603. T. Cartwright, Confut. Rhem. N. T. (1618), 248. Why is it not enough in the Confessant, for his confession to say onely, I confesse all my sins?
1625. Bacon, Apoph., 477. The confessant kneels down before the priest.
1843. Borrow, Bible in Spain, iii. (1872), 18. All these charms were fabrications of the monks, who had sold them to their infatuated confessants.
1880. 19th Cent., VII. 120. The confessant’s signature was awanting.
