Pro·fessed' adjective Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian. The professed (R. C. Ch.) , a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit . Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/P/169
avowed; acknowledged. · professing to be qualified; professional, rather than amateur. · having taken the vows of, or been received into, a religious order. · alleged; pretended. Found on https://www.infoplease.com/dictionary/professed