Noah Webster
Profess
PROFESS', verb transitive [Latin professus, profiteor; pro and fateor.]
1. To make open declaration of; to avow or acknowledge.
Let no man who professes himself a christian, keep so heathenish a family as not to see God by daily worshipped in it.
They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him. Titus 1:16.
2. To declare in strong terms.
Then will I profess to them, I never knew you. Matthew 7:23.
3. To make a show of any sentiments by loud declaration.
To your professing bosoms I commit him.
4. To declare publicly one's skill in any art or science, for inviting employment; as, to profess one's self a physician; he professes surgery.
PROFESS', verb intransitive To declare friendship. [Not in use.]