vow

noun

1. 1

   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.

   And Moses spake vnto the heads of the tribes, concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vowe a vow vnto the Lord, or sweare an othe to bind his soule with a bond: he shall not breake his word, hee shall doe according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

2. 2

   A declaration or assertion.

   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.

3. 3

   obsoleteA votive offering.

   There are also waxen vows, that represent other parts of the body mixed with them; but of these there are few in comparison of the number of the Priapi.

verb

1. 1

   To make a vow; to promise.

   When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.

   We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).

2. 2

   To make a vow regarding (something).

   The wronged woman vowed revenge.

3. 3

   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.

Forms

plural

vows

past tense

vowed

past participle

vowed

present participle

vowing

third person singular

vows