/prə'fes; prə`fɛs/
v (fml 文)
1 [Tn, Tf, Tt, Cn.a] claim (sth), often falsely 声称, 自称, 伪称, 妄称（某事物）
*I don't profess expert knowledge of/to be an expert in this subject. 我并不自诩对这一问题内行[是这一问题的专家].
* She professed total ignorance of the matter. 她自称对那事一无所知.
* He professed that he knew nothing about the plot. 他声称对该阴谋毫不知情.
2 [Tn, Cn.a] state openly that one has (a belief, feeling, etc) 公开表明（信仰、感情等）
*They professed optimism about the outcome. 他们对结果表示乐观.
* He professed himself satisfied with the progress made. 他表明自己对所取得的进步感到满意.
3 [Tn]
(a) publicly declare one's faith in (a religion) 宣布自己的（宗教）信仰
*Christians profess their faith when they say the Creed. 基督教徒在念信经时就表明了他们的宗教信仰.
(b) have or belong to(the specified religion) 具有, 忠于（某宗教信仰）
*professIslam 信仰伊斯兰教.

v [T]formal
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin;Origin: professus, past participle of profiteri 'to profess, confess']
to say that you do, are etc something, especially when it is not really true
profess to do/be sth
　The government professes to care about the poor.
　He professed to be an expert on Islamic art.
profess your innocence
to say that you did not do something bad, especially a crime
　In court, the man was still professing his innocence.
to state a personal feeling or belief openly
　He finally made up his mind to profess his love for her.
profess yourself (to be) sth
　He professed himself satisfied with the results.
to have a religion or belief
　Matt professed no religion.