Main Entry:

¹swear

Pronunciation:

\ˈswer\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

swore \ˈswȯr\ ; sworn \ˈswȯrn\ ; swear·ing

Etymology:

Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavic svarŭ quarrel

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: to utter or take solemnly (an oath)2 a: to assert as true or promise under oath <a sworn affidavit> <swore to uphold the Constitution> b: to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly <swore he'd study harder next time>3 a: to put to an oath : administer an oath to b: to bind by an oath <swore them to secrecy>4obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath5: to bring into a specified state by swearing <swore his life away>intransitive verb1: to take an oath2: to use profane or obscene language : curse

— swear·er noun

— swear by

: to place great confidence in <swears by his mechanic>

— swear for

: to give assurance for : guarantee

— swear off

: to vow to abstain from : renounce <swear off smoking>