avow Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
    affirm; verify; swan; assert; swear; aver.
    • Before God I swear I am innocent
  2. verb admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about
    avouch.

WordNet

A*vow" transitive verb
Etymology
F. avouver, fr. L. advocare to call to (whence the meanings, to call upon as superior; recognize as lord, own, confess); ad + vocare to call. See Advocate, Avouch.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Avowed (); present participle & verbal noun Avowing
Definitions
  1. To declare openly, as something believed to be right; to own or acknowledge frankly; as, a man avows his principles or his crimes.
    Which I to be the of Israel's God Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test. Milton.
  2. (Law) To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See Avowry. Blackstone. Syn. -- To acknowledge; own; confess. See Confess.
A*vow" noun
Etymology
Cf. F. aveu.
Definitions
  1. Avowal. Obs. Dryden.
A*vow" transitive verb & intransitive verb
Etymology
OF. avouer, fr. LL. votare to vow, fr. L. votun. See Vote, n.
Definitions
  1. To bind, or to devote, by a vow. Obs. Wyclif.
A*vow" noun
Definitions
  1. A vow or determination. Archaic

Webster 1913