PROFECTITIOUS Pro`fec*ti"tious, a. Etym: [L. profectitius, fr. proficisci to set out, proceed.]
Defn: Proceeding from, as from a parent; derived, as from an
ancestor. [R.]
The threefold distinction of profectitious, adventitious, and
professional was ascertained. Gibbon.
PROFERT
Pro"fert, n. Etym: [L., he brings forward, 3d pers. pr. of proferre.
See Proffer. ] (Law)
Defn: The exhibition or production of a record or paper in open court, or an allegation that it is in court.
PROFESS Pro*fess", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Professed; p. pr. & vb. n. Professing.] Etym: [F. profès, masc., professe, fem., professed (monk or nun), L. professus, p. p. of profiteri to profess; pro before, forward + fateri to confess, own. See Confess.]
1. To make open declaration of, as of one's knowledge, belief, action, etc.; to avow or acknowledge; to confess publicly; to own or admit freely. "Hear me profess sincerely." Shak. The best and wisest of them all professed To know this only, that he nothing knew. Milton.
2. To set up a claim to; to make presence to; hence, to put on or present an appearance of. I do profess to be no less than I seem. Shak.
3. To present to knowledge of, to proclaim one's self versed in; to make one's self a teacher or practitioner of, to set up as an authority respecting; to declare (one's self to be such); as, he professes surgery; to profess one's self a physician.
PROFESS
Pro*fess", v. i.
1. To take a profession upon one's self by a public declaration; to confess. Drayton.