Avow, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Avowed (p. pr. & vb. n. Avowing.]
Etymology: [F. avouver, fr. L. advocare to call to (whence the meanings, to call upon as superior; recognize as lord, own, confess); ad + vocare to call. See Advocate, Avouch.]
1. To declare openly, as something believed to be right; to own or acknowledge frankly; as, a man avows his principles or his crimes. Which I to be the of Israel's God Avow, and challenge Dagon to the test. Milton.
2. (Law)
To acknowledge and justify, as an act done. See Avowry. Blackstone.
Syn. -- To acknowledge; own; confess. See Confess.
3 other Webster entries under this spelling
Avow, n
Avowal. [Obs.] Dryden.
Avow, v. t. & i.
To bind, or to devote, by a vow. [Obs.] Wyclif.
Avow, n.
A vow or determination. [Archaic]
Shades of meaning
Acknowledge, admit, and declare refer either to oneself or to others; all the other words refer only to one's own knowledge or action. To avow is to declare boldly and openly, commonly as something one is ready to justify, maintain, or defend. A man acknowledges another's claim or his own promise; he admits an opponent's advantage or his own error; he declares either what he has seen or experienced or what he has received from another; he avers what he is sure of from his own knowledge or consciousness; he gives his assurance as the voucher for what he avouches; he avows openly a belief or intention that he has silently held. Avow and avouch take a direct object; aver is followed by a conjunction: a man avows his faith, avouches a deed, avers that he was present. Avow has usually a good sense; what a person avows he at least does not treat as blameworthy, criminal, or shameful; if he did, he would be said to confess it; yet there is always the suggestion that some will be ready to challenge or censure what one avows; as, the clergyman avowed his dissent from the doctrine of his church. Own applies to all things, good or bad, great or small, which one takes as his own. Compare confess; state.