VOW • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Vow

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noun

Vow n.

A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty. "Nothing... that may... stain my vow of Nazarite." "I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow." "I am combined by a sacred vow."

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."

verb

Vow v. t. (past & past part. vowed; pres. part. vowing)

To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity, by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it." "(Men) that vow a long and weary pilgrimage."

To assert solemnly; to asseverate.

Vow v. i. To make a vow, or solemn promise. "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

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Etymology of 'Vow'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Vow" Quotes from Famous Books

... little one!" replied Henri. "I do not belong to myself, I am bound by a vow to the fortune of several persons who stand to me, as I do to them. But I can place you in a refuge in Paris, where no human power ...

— The Girl with the Golden Eyes • Honore de Balzac

... vow the other day, in presence of MUGGINS, that he "would never shave until he had paid off his debts," but MUGGINS, in relating the fact, said simply that "TOODLES had concluded to wear a full beard ...

— Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 15, July 9, 1870 • Various

... himself beyond the reach of human aid, he inwardly made a vow, that if God would incline the hearts of these ruffians to mercy, and restore him in safety to his family and people, he would distribute all the money then in his treasury, in alms to the needy ...

— Sanders' Union Fourth Reader • Charles W. Sanders

... a Man that's only arm'd with the defensive Cudgel, I'm for no such dead doing Arguments; if thou art for me, Child, it must be without the folly, for better for worse; there's a kind of Nonsense in that Vow Fools only swallow. ...

— The Works of Aphra Behn, Vol. I (of 6) • Aphra Behn

... you there have touch'd my weakness. I have a friend; hear it! such a friend, My heart was ne'er shut to him. Nay, I'll tell you: He knows the very business of this hour; But he rejoices in the cause, and loves it; We've chang'd a vow to live and die together, And he's at hand to ...

— Venice Preserved - A Tragedy • Thomas Otway

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