/ prəˈfes; NAmE / verb ( formal )
1.
to claim that sth is true or correct, especially when it is not :
[ vn ]
She still professes her innocence.
[ v to inf ]
I don't profess to be an expert in this subject.
2.
to state openly that you have a particular belief, feeling, etc.
SYN declare :
[ vn ]
He professed his admiration for their work.
[ vn - adj ]
She professed herself satisfied with the progress so far.
3.
[ vn ] to belong to a particular religion :
to profess Christianity / Islam / Judaism
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (as be professed be received into a religious order ): from Latin profess- declared publicly, from the verb profiteri , from pro- before + fateri confess.