vow

Definitions

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.
2. third-person singular present indicative
3. A declaration or assertion.
4. second-person singular imperative
5. A votive offering.
   obsolete

Equivalents

Examples

“The old hermit, up in the mountains, took a vow of silence.”

“And Moses spake vnto the heads of the tribes, concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vowe a vow vnto the Lord, or sweare an othe to bind⟳ his soule with a bond: he shall not breake his word, hee shall doe according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”

“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.”

“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.”

CEFR level