'Vow' definitions:

Definition of 'vow'

noun

A solemn pledge (to oneself or to another or to a deity) to do something or to behave in a certain manner; "they took vows of poverty"

verb

Make a vow; promise; "He vowed never to drink alcohol again"

verb

Dedicate to a deity by a vow [syn: vow, consecrate]

From: GCIDE

Vow \Vow\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Vowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Vowing.] [OE. vouen, OF. vouer, voer, F. vouer, LL. votare. See Vow, n.] [1913 Webster]
1. To give, consecrate, or dedicate to God, or to some deity, by a solemn promise; to devote; to promise solemnly. "When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it." --Eccl. v. 4. [1913 Webster]
[Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Vow \Vow\, v. i. To make a vow, or solemn promise. [1913 Webster]
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. --Eccl. v. 5. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Vow \Vow\, n. [OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v?u, from L. votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. Avow, Devout, Vote.] [1913 Webster]
1. A solemn promise made to God, or to some deity; an act by which one consecrates or devotes himself, absolutely or conditionally, wholly or in part, for a longer or shorter time, to some act, service, or condition; a devotion of one's possessions; as, a baptismal vow; a vow of poverty. "Nothing . . . that may . . . stain my vow of Nazarite." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. --2 Sam. xv. 7. [1913 Webster]
I am combined by a sacred vow. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or affection; as, the marriage vow. [1913 Webster]
Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to their plighted faith. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]