avow

The story

1. Latin · derived fromadvocare“to call to, call upon, hence to call as a witness, defender, patron, or advocate”
2. Old French · derived fromavouer
3. Middle English · inherited fromavowen
4. English todayavow

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.

Words from the same roots