oath

[ ohth ]

noun

, plural oaths [oh, th, z, ohths].

1. a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc.:

   to testify upon oath.

2. a statement or promise strengthened by such an appeal.

   Synonyms: pledge, vow

3. a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing; affirmation.
4. the form of words in which such a statement or promise is made.
5. an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or anything sacred.

   Synonyms: profanity

6. any profane expression; curse; swear word:

   He slammed the door with a muttered oath.

oath

/ əʊθ /

noun

1. a solemn pronouncement to affirm the truth of a statement or to pledge a person to some course of action, often involving a sacred being or object as witness juratory
2. the form of such a pronouncement
3. an irreverent or blasphemous expression, esp one involving the name of a deity; curse
4. on oath or upon oath or under oath
   1. under the obligation of an oath
   2. law having sworn to tell the truth, usually with one's hand on the Bible
5. take an oath
   to declare formally with an oath or pledge, esp before giving evidence

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English oth, Old English āth; cognate with Gothic aiths, Old Norse eidhr, German Eid

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

Old English āth; related to Old Saxon, Old Frisian ēth, Old High German eid

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. take an oath, to swear solemnly; vow.

Example Sentences

Seven remained loyal to their oath, while only one, Lee, betrayed his country.

From Washington Post

Until there’s a new organizing resolution, folks are stuck parked in their current committee assignments — or on the outside looking in, as is the case for the three newcomers to the Senate who took their oaths on Wednesday.

From Time

Then Chief Justice Oliver Ellsworth administered the oath of office for Adams.

From Washington Post

It was very difficult to see veterans who had taken an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution involved in that attack.

From Washington Post

“I hope people will not view this as a political attack, but really standing for the integrity of the body and that oaths do mean something,” said Bell, a retired Air Force major.

From Washington Post

When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”

From The Daily Beast

This Oath Keeper was there for the protest, which had yet to materialize, and had a few friends joining him, he told me.

From The Daily Beast

But given their anti-government rhetoric, the Oath Keepers' presence could inflame tensions further.

From The Daily Beast

Repeating an embellished story before a grand jury while under oath is an entirely different matter.

From The Daily Beast

The oath, according to the King James Bible, requires one to “do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”

From The Daily Beast

"Garnache," came the other's crisp, metallic voice, and the name had a sound as of an oath on his lips.

From Project Gutenberg

“Steed”—Jefferson rode on horseback to the Capitol to take his oath of office as President.

From Project Gutenberg

Then he held down a hand to her, bade her set her foot on his, and called with an oath to Rabecque to lend her his assistance.

From Project Gutenberg

Garnache's sword rasped out, an oath rattled from his clenched teeth, and he fell on guard.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever was his motive, he persisted in his resolution, and to the end was faithful to his oath.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• affidavit
• deposition
• pledge
• testimony
• vow