profess
/prəʊˈfes/verb
with obj.
1
- claim openly but often falsely that one has (a quality or feeling)声称; 自称, 伪称, 妄称：
he had professed his love for her only to walk away without a backward glance
他自称爱她, 却也不回头看一眼就走掉了
with infinitive I don't profess to be an expert我不敢妄称自己是个专家
with complement (profess oneself) he professed himself amazed at the boy's ability.他承认自己对那男孩的能力感到吃惊。
2
- affirm one's faith in or allegiance to (a religion or set of beliefs)宣称信仰, 表示忠于：
a people professing Christianity.
宣称信仰基督教的民族。
2.1
be professed
be received into a religious order under vows被接受入教：she entered St Margaret's Convent, and was professed in 1943.
她进了圣玛格丽特修道院, 并于1943年宣誓加入修会。
3
- dated or humorous teach (a subject) as a professor〈旧或幽默〉以教授身份教（某科目）; 传授：
a professor - what does he profess?
教授——他教什么？
4
- archaic have or claim knowledge or skill in (a subject or accomplishment)〈古〉精通; 声称精通：
though knowing little of the arts I professed, he proved a natural adept.
尽管他对我所精通的艺术了解很少, 但却是个天生的能手。
词源
Middle English （as be professed 'be received into a religious order'）： from Latin profess-'declared publicly'，from the verb profiteri,from pro-'before'+fateri 'confess'.