Category:Profess

Pro*fess", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed; p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.] Etym: [f. profès, masc., professe, fem., professed (monk Or nun), l. professus, p. p. of profiteri to profess; pro before, Forward + fateri to confess, own. See confess.]

1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, Action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or Admit freely. "hear me profess sincerely." Shak. The best and wisest of them all professed to know this only, that he Nothing knew. Milton.

2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or Present an appearance of. I do profess to be no less than i seem. Shak.

3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to Make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an Authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he Professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.

Profess Pro*fess", v. i.

1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to Confess. Drayton.

2. To declare friendship. [obs.] Shak.