profession

What it means

1. A declaration of faith.
   1. lifestyleA promise or vow made on entering a religious order.First known use 12th c.

      She died only a few years after her profession.

      1 more example

      Rosario was a young novice belonging to the monastery, who in three months intended to make his profession.

      1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society, published 1985, page 27

   2. The declaration of belief in the principles of a religion; hence, one's faith or religion.First known use 16th c.

      I congratulate you upon the wisdom that withheld you from entering yourself a member of the Protestant Association […] it is likely to bring an odium upon the profession they make, that will not soon be forgotten.

      1780, William Cowper, letter, 12 June

   3. Any declaration of belief, faith or one's opinion, whether genuine or (as now often implied) pretended.First known use 16th c.

      a profession of support

      2 more examples

      Despite his continued professions of innocence, the court eventually sentenced him to five years.

      I scarcely know any thing that really interests me, and I would give a great deal not to be so quick-sighted as I am; it would be so pleasant to believe only a tithe of the professions that are made me.

      1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “Presentiment”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 126

In a sentence

She died only a few years after her profession.

Where it comes from

1. Proto-Indo-European*per-der.?
2. Proto-Indo-European*pér
3. Proto-Indo-European*pró
4. Proto-Indo-European*pro-
5. Proto-Italic*pro-
6. Latinprō-
7. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
8. Proto-Italic*fatēōr
9. Latinfateor
10. Latinprofiteor
11. Latinprofessiōnem
12. Old Frenchprofession
13. Anglo-Normanprofessioun
14. Middle Englishprofessioun
15. Englishprofession

From Middle English professioun, from Anglo-Norman professioun, Old French profession (“declaration of faith, religious vows, occupation”), from Latin professiō (“avowal, public declaration”), from the participle stem of profitērī (“to profess”). By surface analysis, profess + -ion.

First known use: 12th c.