simple vow

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a public vow taken by a religious, under which property may be retained and marriage, though held to be illicit, is valid under canon law.

Word History and Origins

Origin of simple vow¹

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

The simple vow of chastity made by the scholastics is a diriment impediment of matrimony.

From Project Gutenberg

It was probably more common for widows to take a simple vow of chastity and to remain in the world.

From Project Gutenberg