v. 1 tr. claim openly to have (a quality or feeling). 2 tr. (foll. by to + infin.) pretend. 3 tr. declare (profess ignorance). 4 tr. affirm one's faith in or allegiance to. 5 tr. receive into a religious order under vows. 6 tr. have as one's profession or business. 7 a tr. teach (a subject) as a professor. b intr. perform the duties of a professor.
[ ME f. L profiteri profess- declare publicly (as PRO-(1), fateri confess) ]