Vow

n. [O. Fr. vou, veu, vo, vu, N. Fr. veu, Pr. vot, It. & Sp. voto, Lat. votum, from vovere, votum, to vow. Cf. Avow.] 1. A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates or devotes himself wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter time, to some act or service; a devotion of one's self. “Stain my vow of Nazarite.” Milton. 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.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. VOWED; p. pr. & vb. n. VOWING.] [Fr. vouer, O. Fr. voer, vouer, Pr. vodar. See supra, and cf. Avow.] 1. To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God by a solemn promise; to devote. When thou vowest a vow, defer not to pay it. Eccles. v. 4. That vows a long and weary pilgrimage. Shak. 2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate.