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.]
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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.
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The best and wisest of them all professed
To know this only, that he nothing knew. --Milton.
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2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put
on or present an appearance of.
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I do profess to be no less than I seem. --Shak.
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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.
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