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Avolation

avow

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8 dictionary results for: avow

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

a·vow

[uh-vou] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

to declare frankly or openly; own; acknowledge; confess; admit: He avowed himself an opponent of all alliances.

[Origin: 1150–1200; ME avowen < OF avoue(r) < L advocāre. See advocate

]

—Related forms

a·vow·a·ble, adjective

a·vow·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

a·vow (ə-vou') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. a·vowed, a·vow·ing, a·vows

To acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly; confess: avow guilt. See Synonyms at acknowledge.
To state positively.

[Middle English avowen, from Old French avouer, from Latin advocāre, to call upon; see advocate.]

a·vow'a·ble adj., a·vow'a·bly adv., a·vow'ed·ly (-ĭd-lē) adv., a·vow'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
avow

c.1220, from O.Fr. avouer "acknowledge, accept," especially as a protector, from L. advocare (see advocate). A synonym of avouch, which tends to contain the more technical, legal aspect of the word.

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

avow
verb
1.	to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true; "Before God I swear I am innocent" [syn: affirm]
2.	admit openly and bluntly; make no bones about [ant: disavow]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Avow

A*vow"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Avowed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Avowing.] [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.]

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.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Avow

A*vow"\, n. [Cf. F. aveu.] Avowal. [Obs.] --Dryden.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Avow

A*vow"\, v. t. & i. [OF. avouer, fr. LL. votare to vow, fr. L. votun. See Vote, n.] To bind, or to devote, by a vow. [Obs.] --Wyclif.