avowals
|a-vow-al|
/əˈvaʊəl/
(avowal)
open declaration
Etymology
'avowal' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'avoual', where the element 'avou-' came from Old French 'avouer' meaning 'to acknowledge' or 'to confess'.
'avowal' changed from Old French 'avouer' / Old French noun 'avoual' into Middle English 'avoual', and eventually became the modern English word 'avowal'.
Initially it meant 'an acknowledgment or confession', and over time it has retained that sense while also coming to be used more broadly as 'a public or formal declaration'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a public or formal declaration; an open acknowledgment or statement of belief, loyalty, intention, etc.
His avowals of loyalty reassured the council.
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Noun 2
a frank admission or confession of something personal (often used in the plural to refer to multiple admissions).
Her avowals about past mistakes surprised everyone.
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Last updated: 2025/12/03 15:43