Pro*fess" (?), v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Professed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Professing.] [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.
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.