swear

—swearer, n. —swearingly, adv.

/swair/, v., swore or (Archaic) sware; sworn; swearing.

v.i.

1. to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.

2. to bind oneself by oath.

3. to give evidence or make a statement on oath.

4. to use profane oaths or language: Don't swear in front of the children.

v.t.

5. to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.

6. to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.

7. to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner; vow.

8. to testify or state on oath: He swore it on the witness stand.

9. to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.

10. to bind by an oath: to swear someone to secrecy.

11. swear by,

a. to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.

b. Informal. to have great confidence in; rely on: He swears by his dentist.

c. to have certain knowledge of: I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.

12. swear in, to admit to office or service by administering an oath: A new president will be sworn in today.

13. swear off, to promise or resolve to give up something, esp. intoxicating beverages.

14. swear out, to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.

[bef. 900; ME sweren, OE swerian; c. G schwören, ON sverja; akin to Goth swaran to swear; see ANSWER]

Syn. 1. declare, affirm, avow. 3. depose, testify. 4. imprecate. See curse.

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