oath

[ohth]

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.

oath

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of oath¹

Old English āth; related to Old Saxon, Old Frisian ēth, Old High German eid

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

He took the oath on Thursday, in brief and muted proceedings in the army headquarters.

Read more on BBC

"I have just been sworn in to lead the High Command," General Horta N'Tam declared after taking the oath of office in a ceremony at the military's headquarters, AFP journalists observed.

Read more on Barron's

Federal officials, including the president’s Cabinet and members of Congress, all swore an oath to follow the Constitution and protect the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Read more on Salon

When I was 22 years old, I commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy and swore an oath to the Constitution.

Read more on Salon

Members of the military swear oaths to the Constitution, not to the president or other officials in the chain of command.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• affidavit 
• deposition 
• pledge 
• testimony 
• vow