Similar words: thrift, thrifty, thriftiness, spendthrift, shrimp, shrink, shrill, shriek. Meaning: [ʃrɪft] 
n. the act of being shriven.
n. the act of being shriven. 31 If somebody gives you short shrift, he treats you rudely and shows no interest or sympathy.
32 He is man condemned to a short shrift by his doctor.
33 Earlier this week, Pompey enquired about Blackburn's Nelsen, but their ￡4 million bid received short shrift.
34 You will find, I suspect, that science and technology get shrift in most historians'accounts.