Swearing

Swearing
Swear Swear, v. i. [imp. {Swore}, formerly {Sware}; p. p. {Sworn}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Swearing}.] [OE. swerien, AS. swerian; akin to D. zweren, OS. swerian, OHG. swerien, G. schw["o]ren, Icel. sverja, Sw. sv["a]rja, Dan. sv[ae]rge, Icel. & Sw. svara to answer, Dan. svare, Dan. & Sw. svar an answer, Goth. swaran to swear, and perhaps to E. swarm. [root]177. Cf. {Answer}.] 1. To affirm or utter a solemn declaration, with an appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed; to make a promise, threat, or resolve on oath; also, to affirm solemnly by some sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the Bible, the Koran, etc. [1913 Webster]

Ye shall swear by my name falsely. --Lev. xix. 12. [1913 Webster]

I swear by all the Roman gods. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. (Law) To give evidence on oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement; he swore against the prisoner. [1913 Webster]

3. To make an appeal to God in an irreverant manner; to use the name of God or sacred things profanely; to call upon God in imprecation; to curse. [1913 Webster]

[I] swore little; diced not above seven times a week. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

{To swear by}, to place great confidence in a person or thing; to trust implicitly as an authority. ``I simply meant to ask if you are one of those who swear by Lord Verulam.'' --Miss Edgeworth.

{To swear off}, to make a solemn vow, or a serious resolution, to abstain from something; as, to swear off smoking. [Slang] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Swearing — Swear ing, a. & n. from {Swear}, v. [1913 Webster] Idle swearing is a cursedness. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • swearing in — n. The act of administering an oath to a witness at a trial, to a public official, or to a person undergoing some other formal proceeding. adj. sworn The Essential Law Dictionary. Sphinx Publishing, An imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc. Amy Hackney… …   Law dictionary

  • swearing — index adjuration, affirmation, attestation, averment, avouchment, blasphemy, certification (attested copy), confirmation …   Law dictionary

  • swearing-in — n [singular] a ceremony in which someone with a new public job or position officially promises to do their duty well …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • swearing — *blasphemy, profanity, cursing …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • swearing — [n] foul language bad language*, blasphemy, cursing, cuss*, cussing*, dirty language*, dirty name*, dirty talk*, dirty word*, execration, expletives, four letter word*, imprecation, malediction, no no*, profanity, swearword; concepts 54,276,278 …   New thesaurus

  • swearing-in — /swair ing in /, n. an official ceremony where a person takes an oath of office, allegiance, etc. [1890 95; from v. phrase swear in; see ING1] * * * swearing in UK [ˌsweərɪŋ ˈɪn] US [ˌswerɪŋ ˈɪn] noun [countable] [singular swearing in …   Useful english dictionary

  • swearing-in — UK [ˌsweərɪŋ ˈɪn] / US [ˌswerɪŋ ˈɪn] noun [countable] Word forms swearing in : singular swearing in plural swearing ins an official ceremony in which someone beginning an important job formally promises to do their duty …   English dictionary

  • swearing-in — noun Swearing in is used before these nouns: ↑ceremony …   Collocations dictionary

  • swearing — Synonyms and related words: affidavit, affirmation, attestation, bad language, billingsgate, blue language, certification, colorful language, cursing, cussing, deposition, dirty language, dirty talk, dysphemism, evil speaking, execration, filth,… …   Moby Thesaurus

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