Main Entry: pro·fess

Pronunciation: \prə-ˈfes, prō-\

Function: verb

Etymology: in sense 1, from Middle English, from profes, adjective, having professed one's vows, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin professus, from Latin, past participle of profitēri to profess, confess, from pro- before + fatēri to acknowledge; in other senses, from Latin professus, past participle — more at confess

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 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 professorintransitive verb 1 : to make a profession or avowal
2 obsolete : to profess friendship