vow

A solemn promise to perform some act, or behave in a specified manner, especially a promise to live and act in accordance with the rules of a religious order.

The old hermit, up in the mountains, took a vow of silence.

And Moses spake vnto the heads of the tribes, concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded. If a man vowe a vow vnto the Lord, or sweare an othe to bind his soule with a bond: he shall not breake his word, hee shall doe according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

A declaration or assertion.

Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.

A votive offering.

There are also waxen vows, that represent other parts of the body mixed with them; but of these there are few in comparison of the number of the Priapi.

To make a vow; to promise.

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it.

We do not vow that we will never sin, nor neglect a duty (nor ought we to do so).

To make a vow regarding (something).

The wronged woman vowed revenge.

To declare publicly that one has made a vow, usually to show one's determination or to announce an act of retaliation.

The rebels vowed to continue their fight.