vow
pronunciation
How to pronounce vow in British English:
UK [vaʊ]
How to pronounce vow in American English:
US [vaʊ]
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- Noun:
- a solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner
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- Verb:
- make a vow; promise
- dedicate to a deity by a vow
Word Origin
- vow
- vow: see vote
- vow (n.)
- "solemn promise," c. 1300, from Anglo-French and Old French voe (Modern French vœu), from Latin votum "a promise to a god, solemn pledge, dedication; that which is promised; a wish, desire, longing, prayer," noun use of neuter of votus, past participle of vovere "to promise solemnly, pledge, dedicate, vow," from PIE root *wegwh- "to speak solemnly, vow, preach" (cognates: Sanskrit vaghat- "one who offers a sacrifice;" Greek eukhe "vow, wish," eukhomai "I pray"). Meaning "solemn engagement to devote oneself to a religious order or life" is from c. 1400; earlier "to bind oneself" to chastity (early 14c.).
- vow (v.)
- "promise solemnly," c. 1300, from Old French voer, from voe (see vow (n.)). Related: Vowed; vowing.
Example
- 1. Candidates vow to defend the middle class and accuse their opponents of betraying it .
- 2. Meanwhile , mr obama 's vow never to fiddle data rings a little hollow .
- 3. Bin laden 's vow in the 1990 's to bankrupt the us has been partly achieved .
- 4. Don 't tell me that the almighty support to a person is the glorious action , please apply your glittering vow into practice .
- 5. Chinese vp , egypt president vow to boost ties