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vow

 - 7 dictionary results

vow

  [vou] ,
Use vow in a Sentence
–noun
1. a solemn promise, pledge, or personal commitment: marriage vows; a vow of secrecy.
2. a solemn promise made to a deity or saint committing oneself to an act, service, or condition.
3. a solemn or earnest declaration.
–verb (used with object)
4. to make a vow of; promise by a vow, as to God or a saint: to vow a crusade or a pilgrimage.
5. to pledge or resolve solemnly to do, make, give, observe, etc.: They vowed revenge.
6. to declare solemnly or earnestly; assert emphatically (often fol. by a clause as object): She vowed that she would take the matter to court.
7. to dedicate or devote by a vow: to vow oneself to the service of God.
–verb (used without object)
8. to make a vow.
9. to make a solemn or earnest declaration.
—Idiom
10. take vows, to enter a religious order or house.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, OF vo(u) < L vōtum, neut. of vōtus, ptp. of vovēre to vow

Related forms:
vower, noun
vowless, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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vow 1   (vou)   
n.  

  1. An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order: take the vows of a nun.

  2. A declaration or assertion.

v.   vowed, vow·ing, vows

v.   tr.

  1. To promise solemnly; pledge. See Synonyms at promise.

  2. To make a pledge or threat to undertake: vowing revenge on their persecutors.

v.   intr.
To make a vow; promise.

[Middle English vou, from Old French, from Latin vōtum; see vote.]
vow'er n.
vow 2   (vou)   
tr.v.  To declare or assert: "Well, I vow it is as fine a boy as ever was seen!" (Henry Fielding).

[Short for avow.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vow  (n.)
1297, from Anglo-Fr. and O.Fr. vou, from L. votum "a vow, wish, promise, dedication," noun use of neut. of votus, pp. of vovere "to promise solemnly, pledge, dedicate, vow," from PIE base *ewegwh- "to speak solemnly, vow" (cf. Skt. vaghat- "one who offers a sacrifice;" Gk. eukhe "vow, wish," eukhomai "I pray"). The verb is attested from c.1300, from O.Fr. vouer.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: vow
Function: noun
: a solemn promise or statement; especially : one by which a person is bound to an act, service, or condition vows>

Main Entry: vow
Function: transitive verb
1 : to promise solemnly
2 : to bind or commit by a vow intransitive verb : to make a vow —vow·er noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Encyclopedia

vow

sacred voluntary promise to dedicate oneself or members of one's family or community to a special obligation that goes beyond usual social or religious requirements.

Learn more about vow with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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