vow

noun

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.

   “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.”

2. A declaration or assertion.

   “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.”

3. (obsolete)A votive offering.

   “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.”

verb

1. (ambitransitive)To make a vow; to promise.

   “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.”

   “We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).”

2. (transitive)To make a vow regarding (something).

   “The wronged woman vowed revenge.”

3. To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.

   “The rebels vowed to continue their fight.”