■ verb
1》 claim that one has (a quality or feeling).
2》 affirm one's faith in or allegiance to (a religion).
↘( be ~ed ) be received into a religious order under vows.
3》 archaic or humorous teach (a subject) as a ~or.
4》 archaic have or claim knowledge or skill in.
Origin
ME: from L. ~- , profiteri 'declare publicly', from pro- 'before' + fateri 'confess'.