vot-; vov-; vow


avow (verb), avows; avowed; avowing
1. To admit openly and bluntly: "She avowed that she was innocent of the accusations."
2. To declare or to affirm solemnly and formally as true: "At the end of most wedding ceremonies, the couples make their vows, in which they avow their commitment to each other."
3. To acknowledge openly, boldly, and unashamedly.

To confess, or "to avow guilt" does NOT come from the same Latin source as vow (from Anglo-French and Old French vou) which comes from Latin votum, "a vow, a wish, a promise, a dedication".


avowable (adjective)
Capable of being avowed, or openly acknowledged, with confidence: "His avowable statements clarified his political position."
avowableness (s) (noun)
The situation or quality of being openly acknowledged with confidence: "The avowableness of Lenora's statements were considered to be valid and acceptable."
avowal (s) (noun), avowals (pl)
1. A statement asserting the existence or the truth of something: "The couple exchanged avowals of their love for each other."
2. A frank admission, statement, or acknowledgment of something "Jake's avowal that he didn't do anything wrong was proven to be untrue."
avowedly (adverb)
1. An open declaration or acknowledgment: The candidate for office is avowedly conservative in her political beliefs."
2. A frank admission or acknowledgment: "Carl admitted that he has an avowedly simple life style."
avowedness (s) (noun)
The state, or fact, of being positively stated: "Jeffrey's avowedness was supported up by his actions."
avower (s) (noun), avowers (pl)
1. Someone who admits, or acknowledges, openly and boldly.
2. A person who claims to speak the truth.
avowry (s) (noun), avowries (pl)
The acknowledgment and justification of taking things by a defendant in an action of replevin (a legal act, or writ, to recover goods by someone who claims to own them and who promises to have the claim tested later in court).
devotee (s) (noun), devotees (pl)
Someone who is zealously interested in something special; an enthusiast: "Mark and Maggie were devotees of hiking."