pro·fess [ prō féss, prə féss ](past and past participlepro·fessed, present participlepro·fess·ing, 3rd person present singularpro·fess·es)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive verb declare something falsely: to make a statement falsely claiming that something is the case Many profess to despise what secretly they hunger after.
2. transitive and intransitive verb declare something openly: to make a statement acknowledging something openly or publicly Having professed his belief in the remedy, he had little choice but to try it. They professed themselves delighted with the results.
3. transitive verb religion express faith in particular belief: to follow a particular religion
4. transitive and intransitive verb religion become priest or nun: to admit somebody into a religious order, or be admitted into a religious order
[15th century. < Old French profes "having taken religious vows" < Latin profess-, past participle of profiteri "declare publicly" < fateri "acknowledge"]
