To swear by

To swear by
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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