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 verb 1 : 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>
4 obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
5 : to bring into a specified state by swearing <swore his life away>intransitive verb 1 : to take an oath
2 : 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>