[pro.fess] vb [in sense 1, fr. ME, fr. profes, adj., having professed one's vows, fr. MF, fr. LL professus, fr. L, pp. of profiteri to profess, confess, fr. pro- before + fateri to acknowledge; in other senses, fr. L professus, pp.--more at confess] vt (14c) 1: to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows
2. a: to declare or admit openly or freely: affirm b: to declare in words or appearances only: pretend, claim
3: to confess one's faith in or allegiance to
4. a: to practice or claim to be versed in (a calling or profession) b: to teach as a professor ~ vi 1: to make a profession or avowal
2. obs: to profess friendship