Pro·fess v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.]
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.”
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·fessed a. Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian.
The professed R. C. Ch. , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit.
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professed
adj 1: professing to be qualified; "a professed philosopher" [syn:
professed(a)]
2: claimed with intent to deceive; "his professed intentions"
[syn: professed(a)]
3: openly declared as such; "an avowed enemy"; "her professed
love of everything about that country"; "McKinley was
assassinated by a professed anarchist" [syn: avowed(a),
professed(a)]