\Pro*fess"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Professed}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Professing}.] [F. prof[`e]s, masc., professe, fem.,
professed (monk or nun), L. professus, p. p. of profiteri to
profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See
{Confess}.]
1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge,
   belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess
   publicly; to own or admit freely. ``Hear me profess
   sincerely.'' --Shak.
         The best and wisest of them all professed To know
         this only, that he nothing knew.      --Milton.
2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put
   on or present an appearance of.
         I do profess to be no less than I seem. --Shak.
3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed
   in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to
   set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self
   to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's
   self a physician.

\Pro*fess"\, v. i.
1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public
   declaration; to confess. --Drayton.
2. To declare friendship. [Obs.] --Shak.