Definition of "Profess" :
verb: state insincerely
"He professed innocence but later admitted his guilt."
verb: confess one's faith in, or allegiance to
"The terrorists professed allegiance to their country."
verb: admit (to a wrongdoing)
verb: practice as a profession, teach, or claim to be knowledgeable about
"She professes organic chemistry."
verb: take vows, as in religious order
"She professed herself as a nun."
verb: receive into a religious order or congregation
verb: state freely
"The teacher professed that he was not generous when it came to giving good grades."