The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Professed \Pro*fessed"\, a. Openly declared, avowed, acknowledged, or claimed; as, a professed foe; a professed tyrant; a professed Christian. [1913 Webster] The professed (R. C. Ch.), a certain class among the Jesuits bound by a special vow. See the note under Jesuit. [1913 Webster]