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 verb1: to receive formally into a religious community following a novitiate by acceptance of the required vows2 a: to declare or admit openly or freely : affirm b: to declare in words or appearances only : pretend, claim3: to confess one's faith in or allegiance to4 a: to practice or claim to be versed in (a calling or profession) b: to teach as a professorintransitive verb1: to make a profession or avowal2obsolete : to profess friendship