[f. CONFESSION + -AL: corresp. to med.L. confessiōnāl-is and mod.F. confessionel.]
1. Of the nature of or pertaining to confession.
1817. N. Drake, Shaks., II. 72. If we dismiss these confessional sonnets.
1823. Galt, Entail, II. xxiv. 231. In the confessional moments of contrition.
1827. G. S. Faber, Orig. Expiatory Sacr., 216. Not an expiatory sin-offering, but an offering merely confessional of sin.
2. Of or pertaining to Confessions of Faith, or systems of formulated Theology.
1882–3. Schaff, Encycl. Relig. Knowl., III. 1972. Confessional differences concern the condition of the dead during the period between death and the resurrection.
1889. A. B. Bruce, Sp. at Mansf. Coll. Oxf., 16 Oct. In theology our position might be described as Biblical, as distinct from confessional. We want to know what the Bible really teaches.
