avow

Etymology

From Middle English avowen, from Old French avouer, from Latin advocare (“to call to, call upon, hence to call as a witness, defender, patron, or advocate”), from ad (“to”) + vocare (“to call”). Doublet of advoke, avouch, and advocate. Not related to vow.

verb

1. (transitive) To declare openly and boldly, as something believed to be right; to own, acknowledge or confess frankly.
   […] in 1786, and for some period later, there were few, if any, prominent Americans, who avowed themselves in favor of broadly democratic systems. 1858, Henry Stephens Randall, The Life of Thomas Jefferson, volume 1, page 461
2. (transitive) To bind or devote by a vow.
3. (law) To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See avowry.

noun

1. (obsolete) avowal
   without thy Knowledge and Avow