n. [ OE. vou, OF. vou, veu, vo, vu, F. v&unr_;u, from L. votum, from vovere, to vow. Cf. Avow, Devout, Vote. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow. 2 Sam. xv. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am combined by a sacred vow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Specifically, a promise of fidelity; a pledge of love or affection; as, the marriage vow. [ 1913 Webster ]

Knights of love, who never broke their vow;
Firm to their plighted faith. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Vowed p. pr. & vb. n. Vowing. ] [ OE. vouen, OF. vouer, voer, F. vouer, LL. votare. See Vow, n. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Men ] that vow a long and weary pilgrimage. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To assert solemnly; to asseverate. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make a vow, or solemn promise. [ 1913 Webster ]

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Eccl. v. 5. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. voyelle, or an OF. form without y, L. vocalis (sc. littera), from vocalis sounding, from vox, vocis, a voice, sound. See Vocal. ] (Phon.) A vocal, or sometimes a whispered, sound modified by resonance in the oral passage, the peculiar resonance in each case giving to each several vowel its distinctive character or quality as a sound of speech; -- distinguished from a consonant in that the latter, whether made with or without vocality, derives its character in every case from some kind of obstructive action by the mouth organs. Also, a letter or character which represents such a sound. See Guide to Pronunciation, §§ 5, 146-149. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In the English language, the written vowels are a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes w and y. The spoken vowels are much more numerous. [ 1913 Webster ]

Close vowel. See under Close, a. --
Vowel point. See under Point, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a vowel; vocal. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Furnished with vowels. [ Written also vowelled. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of a vowel. [ R. ] “The power [ of w ] is always vowelish.” B. Jonson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The use of vowels. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To give the quality, sound, or office of a vowel to. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who makes a vow. Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]