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.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

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.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

vow

views updated May 17 2018

vow2 affirm, asseverate. XIV. Aphetic of AVOW.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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