Vow
Pronunciation
- Rhymes: -aÊŠ
Origin
From Middle English, from Old French vut, from Latin votum ("a promise, dedication, vow"), from vovere ("to promise, vow").
Full definition of vow
Noun
vow
(plural vows)- A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.The old hermit, up in the mountains, took a vow of silence.
- A declaration or assertion.
- 2013-06-14, Sam Leith, Where the profound meets the profane, Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.
Usage notes
One normally makes or takes a vow, or simply vows (see below).
Commonly mentioned vows include those of silence, obedience, poverty, chastity, and celibacy.
'to keep/pay/fulfill a vow' = to honor a vow
'to break a vow' = to dishonor a vow
Verb
- (ambitransitive) To make a vow; to promise.
- Bible, Eccl. v. 4When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.
- Richard BaxterWe do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).
- (transitive) To make a vow regarding (something).The wronged woman vowed revenge.
- To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.The rebels vowed to continue their fight.