vow n : 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" v
1. make a vow; promise; "He vowed never to drink alcohol again"
2. dedicate to a deity by a vow [syn: consecrate]

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

Vow \Vow\, n. [OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v?u, from L. votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. Avow, Devout, Vote.]
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. I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. --2 Sam. xv. 7. I am combined by a sacred vow. --Shak.
2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or affection; as, the marriage vow. Knights of love, who never broke their vow; Firm to their plighted faith. --Dryden.

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.]
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. [Men] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. --Shak.
2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate.

See more meaning on Vow...

A vow (Lat. votum, vow, promise; see vote) is a promise or oath.

Marriage vows are binding promises each partner in a couple makes to the other during a wedding ceremony. Marriage customs have developed over history and keep changing as human society develops. In earlier times and in most cultures the consent of the partners has not had the importance now attached to it, at least in Western societies and in those they have influenced.

Within the world of monks and nuns, a vow is sometimes a transaction between a person and a deity, where the former promises to render some service or gift, or devotes something valuable to the deity's use. The vow is a kind of oath, with the deity being both the witness and recipient of the promise. For an example, see the Book of Judges. Also, see the Bodhisattva vows.

• Chicago braces for final day of anti-NATO protests as demonstrators vow to march on Boeing HQ - CBS News
  (CBS/AP) CHICAGO - Chicago braced for more demonstrations Monday, with protesters vowing to march to the Boeing Corp. headquarters a day after police clashed with a group of demonstrators at the end of a march protesting the NATO summit. Read more on this news related to 'Vow'
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  WASHINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of the Group of Eight (G8) rich nations on Saturday agreed to strengthen their economies amid the continuing Eurozone debt crisis, although they recognized that some might choose the path of more stimulus while ... Read more on this news related to 'Vow'
• Obama, world leaders vow to end Afghanistan war by 2014 - NJ.com
  CHICAGO — President Barack Obama and leaders around the globe locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan, affirming today that they will close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014, a strategy that means their troops ... Read more on this news related to 'Vow'