v (transitive) To make a claim (to be something), to lay claim to (a given quality, feeling etc.), often with connotations of insincerity. (defdate|from 16th c.)
v (transitive) To declare one's adherence to (a religion, deity, principle etc.). (defdate|from 16th c.)
v (transitive) To work as a professor of; to teach. (defdate|from 16th c.)
v (context|transitive|now|_|rare) To claim to have knowledge or understanding of (a given area of interest, subject matter). (defdate|from 16th c.)