prəˈfes, prōˈ- verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English professen, from profes, adjective, having professed one's vows, from Old French, from Late Latin professus, from Latin, past participle of profitērī to profess, confess, from pro- before + -fitērī (from fatērī to acknowledge, confess); in other senses, from Latin professus, past participle of profitērī — more at pro- , confess
transitive verb
1.
a. : to receive formally into membership in a religious community through the authorized acceptance of the candidate's vows
the abbot professed three of the young monks
he was professed when 18 years old
b. : to take (vows) as a member of a religious community or order
2.
a. : to declare or admit openly or freely : acknowledge without concealment : affirm , confess
professed great admiration for his scholarship — H.E.Starr
gave me a copy of the book whose authorship he modestly professed — Sidney Lovett
b. : to declare or admit in words or appearances only : imply outwardly : aver insincerely : pretend , purport
they have become what they profess to scorn — W.L.Sullivan
doctrines that profess to explain the human situation — D.W.Brogan
3. : to confess one's faith in or allegiance to : recognize or embrace as a belief : follow , practice
professes a Protestant faith — Current Biography
4.
a. : to proclaim oneself versed in (as a calling) : practice the profession of
b. : to teach as a professor
those learned intellectual historians … all profess literature — H.S.Commager
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to make a profession or one's profession
b. obsolete : to profess friendship
he is dishonored by a man which ever professed to him — Shakespeare
2. : to follow the calling of professor
Synonyms: see assert