vow
(noun) a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner; “they took vows of poverty”
vow
(verb) make a vow; promise; “He vowed never to drink alcohol again”
vow, consecrate
(verb) dedicate to a deity by a vow
Source: WordNet® 3.1
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.
A declaration or assertion.
(obsolete) A votive offering.
• 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
vow (third-person singular simple present vows, present participle vowing, simple past and past participle vowed)
(ambitransitive) To make a vow; to promise.
(transitive) To make a vow regarding (something).
To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.
• WOV, WVO
Source: Wiktionary
Vow, n. Etym: [OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v, from L. votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. Avow, Devout, Vote.]
1. A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty. "Nothing . . . that may . . . stain my vow of Nazarite." Milton. I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. 2 Sam. xv. 7. I am combined by a sacred vow. Shak.
2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or affection; as, the marriage vow. Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to their plighted faith. Dryden.
Vow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vowing.] Etym: [OE. vouen, OF. vouer, voer, F. vouer, LL. votare. See Vow, n.]
1. To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity, by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it." Eccl. v. 4. [Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. Shak.
2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate.
Vow, v. i.
Definition: To make a vow, or solemn promise. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Eccl. v. 5.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
20 February 2025
(noun) (pathology) the spread of pathogenic microorganisms or malignant cells to new sites in the body; “the tumor’s invasion of surrounding structures”
The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
