I.a public acknowledgment, declaration, expression, profession, promise (mostly post-Aug.).
I. In gen.: professio bonae voluntatis, Planc. ap. Cic. Fam. 10, 8, 2: “Canidius timidius decessit, quam professioni ejus congruebat,” Vell. 2, 87, 3: memores professionis, of our promise (of brevity), id. 2, 89, 6: “aperta,” Plin. 27, 3, 2, § 9: “suae opinionis,” expression, Gell. 7, 3, 24: “summa stultitiae,” id. 7, 3, 24: “flagitii,” Tac. A. 2, 85: “pietatis,” id. Agr. 3.—
B. Transf., a sign, token (post-class.): “vitiorum,” Pall. 3, 9.—
II. In partic., a public declaration or specification of one's person, name, property, business, etc. (class.): IS. APVD. QVEM. EA. PROFESSIO FIET, etc., Tab. Her. in Haubold, Mon. Leg. p. 101 sq.; Liv. 35, 7: “tu vero confice professionem, si potes. Etsi haec pecunia ex eo genere est, ut professione non egeat,” Cic. Fam. 16, 23, 1: “post professionem de fideicommisso factam,” Dig. 49, 14, 2; Tert. Apol. 42; Vulg. Act. 5, 37.—
B. Transf.
1. A public register of persons or property thus given in (class.): “in Leontino jugerum subscriptio ac professio non est plus triginta millium,” Cic. Verr. 2, 3, 47, § 113.—
2. A business or profession which one publicly avows (class.): “professio bene dicendi,” Cic. de Or. 1, 6, 21: “grammaticae,” Suet. Gram. 8: “sapientiae,” Plin. 7, 30, 31, § 112: “magicae artis,” Curt. 7, 4, 8: “professionem honestarum artium malis corruperant moribus,” id. 8, 5, 7: ista salutaris, the art of healing, medicine, Cels. praef.: “ultimae professionis homines, i. e. vilissimi artificii,” Lampr. Elag. 20; Dig 2, 13, 9.