vow

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French vut, in turn from Latin vōtum (“a promise, dedication, vow”), from vovēre (“to promise, vow”). Doublet of vote.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

vow (plural vows)

  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.
  2. A declaration or assertion.
    • 2013 June 14, Sam Leith, “Where the profound meets the profane”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 1, page 37:
      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. (obsolete) A votive offering.
    • 1786, Richard Payne Knight, The Worship of Priapus:
      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.

Usage notes[edit]

  • 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

Translations[edit]

The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout#Translations.
Translations to be checked

Verb[edit]

vow (third-person singular simple present vows, present participle vowing, simple past and past participle vowed)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To make a vow; to promise.
    • Bible, Ecclesiastes 5:4
      When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.
    • (Can we date this quote by Richard Baxter and provide title, author's full name, and other details?)
      We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).
  2. (transitive) To make a vow regarding (something).
    The wronged woman vowed revenge.
  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.

Translations[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Terms derived from the noun or verb vow

Related terms[edit]

Terms etymologically related to the noun or verb vow

Further reading[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

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