Profess
/prəˈfɛs/noun
To declare openly or state something publicly, or to claim a belief, feeling, or skill.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *profiteri*, a public declaration often used for vows, beliefs, and official statements, which is why “profess” still carries the energy of a spoken pledge.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeh₂-
“to speak, say”
Latin
Latin
fateri
“to admit, acknowledge, confess”
Latin
Latin
profiteri
“to declare openly, acknowledge publicly”
Old French
Old French
professer
“to declare openly; avow a belief or calling”
Middle English
English
professen
“to declare openly, claim, or avow”
Modern English
English
profess
“to state openly or claim as true or genuine”