Con-fĕss’or, n.
(113) (Synop., § 130), n. [Lat. & L. Lat. confessor, Pr. confessor, Sp. confesor, It. confessore, Fr. confesseur.]
Sense 1. One who confesses; one who acknowledges his sins or obligations.
Sense 2. (Eccl.) (a.) One who makes a profession of his faith in the Christian religion. (b.) (Anc. Church.) One who confessed the doctrine of Christ before persecuting magistrates, and firmly endured punishment for defending the faith.
Our religion which hath been sealed with the blood of so many martyrs and confessors. Bacon.
Sense 3. A priest who hears the confessions of others, and is authorized to grant them absolution.