Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Profess?

\Pro*fess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Professed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Professing}.] [F. prof[`e]s, 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.
\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.