VOW • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • 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

... you that I will, by fair means or foul, dispose of at Piedimulera all the things with which I fondly thought to deck the animal my fancy had painted. Everything I bought at Bern shall go, if I have to dig a grave by night in which to bury them. This is a vow, and though my heart be wrung, ...

— The Princess Passes • Alice Muriel Williamson and Charles Norris Williamson

... we give you, and by following it you cannot fail to be happy at Ambleside, and everywhere else. Whatever the weather be, love, admire, and delight in it, and vow that you would not change it for the atmosphere of a dream. If it be close, hot, oppressive, be thankful for the faint air that comes down fitfully from cliff and chasm, or the breeze that ever and anon gushes from stream and lake. If the heavens are filled ...

— Recreations of Christopher North, Volume 2 • John Wilson

... glad, 'Cause he held the boy's hand tighter, and he smiled and whispered low, "Now you needn't fear the journey; over there with you I'll go." And they both passed out together, arm in arm I think they went. He had kept his vow to follow everywhere the boys ...

— Over Here • Edgar A. Guest

... enjoyed the dance in the evening; but there were some hearts there, young and merry as they were, that made a solemn vow never to forget those of whom they had heard that day,—"them ...

— Two Festivals • Eliza Lee Follen

... their lorgnons at him, and it depends only on him to attain the dignity of a negro "giraffier," but he loves, he is engaged, he has four years to wait, to work to make himself a position, and he has made a vow. You would tell him that he is stupid, I preach to him, on the ...

— The George Sand-Gustave Flaubert Letters • George Sand, Gustave Flaubert

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