vow

views updated Jun 11 2018

vow / vou/ • n. a solemn promise. ∎  (vows) a set of such promises committing one to a prescribed role, calling, or course of action, typically to marriage or a monastic career.• v. 1. solemnly promise to do a specified thing: he vowed that his government would not tolerate a repeat of the disorder | [with direct speech] one fan vowed, “I'll picket every home game.” 2. [tr.] archaic dedicate to someone or something, esp. a deity: I vowed myself to this enterprise.

vow

views updated May 23 2018

vow1 solemn promise, esp. of a religious nature. XIII. — AN. vou, vu(u), OF. vo(u) (mod. vœu):- L. vōtum VOTE.
So vow vb. make a vow. XIII. — (O)F. vouer.

vow

views updated May 17 2018

vow2 affirm, asseverate. XIV. Aphetic of AVOW.