oath

American  

[ohth] / oʊθ /

noun

plural

oaths

1. a solemn appeal to a deity, or to some revered person or thing, to witness one's determination to speak the truth, to keep a promise, etc..

   to testify upon oath.

2. a statement or promise strengthened by such an appeal.

   Synonyms:

   pledge, vow

3. a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing; affirmation.

4. the form of words in which such a statement or promise is made.

5. an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or anything sacred.

   Synonyms:

   profanity

6. any profane expression; curse; swear word.

   He slammed the door with a muttered oath.

---

idioms

1. take an oath, to swear solemnly; vow.

oath British  

/ əʊθ /

noun

1. a solemn pronouncement to affirm the truth of a statement or to pledge a person to some course of action, often involving a sacred being or object as witness

2. the form of such a pronouncement

3. an irreverent or blasphemous expression, esp one involving the name of a deity; curse

4. 1. under the obligation of an oath

   2. law having sworn to tell the truth, usually with one's hand on the Bible

5. to declare formally with an oath or pledge, esp before giving evidence

---

Etymology

Origin of oath

First recorded before 900; Middle English oth, Old English āth; cognate with Gothic aiths, Old Norse eidhr, German Eid

Example Sentences

“I believe you just lied under oath,” Lieu said.

From Salon

In court on Thursday, Hartley said the allegation she had lied under oath had dragged her reputation "through the mud".

From BBC

The advocate depute asked: "I am asking you as you stand here on oath if you remember were there any grievances on the Edradynate between Brian and David?"

From BBC

Hill has subsequently resigned from office and pleaded guilty to several crimes, including lying under oath about sharing sealed evidence with reporters.

From The Wall Street Journal

At the age of 9, the future general supposedly joined his father in an oath of eternal opposition to Rome.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affidavit
• deposition
• pledge
• testimony
• vow