To make a claim (to be something); to lay claim to (a given quality, feeling etc.), often with connotations of insincerity.
To administer the vows of a religious order to (someone); to admit to a religious order.
To declare one's adherence to (a religion, deity, principle etc.).
To work as a professor of; to teach.
To declare oneself (to be something).
To declare; to assert, affirm.
To continue to convince (someone) of something untrue; to maintain a lie or scam aimed at (someone).