The imposition of penance implying absolution, shrift came to be apprehended in certain contexts as = absolution.

The action of forgiving; pardon of a fault, remission of a debt, etc. †In Old English also: Indulgent permission.

Christian Church. Remission or forgiveness of sins declared by ecclesiastical authority; an instance of this.

Pardon or forgiveness; a request for this; the gesture of kneeling or prostrating oneself as an indication of penitence and desire for pardon.

Assoilment, absolution.

Redemption; absolution, forgiveness; expiation.

Without of. Forgiveness or pardon granted for sins or offences against divine law; the cancelling of, or deliverance from, the guilt and penalties…

Roman Catholic Church Formerly in sense: Remission of sin. Obsolete.

The action of absolving, absolution.

gen. The passing over of an offence without punishment; the overlooking or forgiveness of an offence or error and the treatment of the offender as…

A gesture of kneeling or prostrating oneself as an indication of penitence or a desire for pardon. Chiefly in to take one's veyne. Cf. veny, n.1

Chiefly Scottish. Remission, pardon; (also) a pardon. Obsolete.

The action of remit, v. (in various senses); (occasionally) an instance of this.

The remission of a debt, penalty, etc.; an instance of this. Frequently with of.

Remission; pardon; cancellation or reduction of a punishment; an instance of this. Chiefly with of. Now rare.

= absolution, n. (in various senses).