Obs. [ad. med.L. confessāri-us; see prec.]
1. A casuist who deals with confession.
a. 1614. Donne, Βιαθανατος (1644), 98. The Confessaries of these times.
1649. Bp. Hall, Cases Consc., II. viii. 187. The strange determination of learned Azpilcueta, the oracle of Confessaries … teaches, that the prisoner … is not bound at his death to confesse the crime to the world.
2. A father confessor.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Serm., Wks. II. 289 (T.). To resist it, as partial magistrates; to reveal it, as treacherous confessaries.
3. One who makes a confession; a confessant.
1608. T. Morton, Pream. Incounter, 10. Euery penitent Confessarie must receiue absolution.
