\Con*fess"or\ (?; 277), n. [OF. confessor, F.
confesseur, fr. L. & LL. confessor.]
1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges a fault, or the
   truth of a charge, at the risk of suffering; specifically,
   one who confesses himself a follower of Christ and endures
   persecution for his faith.
         He who dies for religion is a martyr; he who suffers
         for it is a confessor.                --Latham.
         Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood
         of so many martyrs and confessors.    --Bacon.
2. A priest who hears the confessions of others and is
   authorized to grant them absolution.