oath Hear it!

oath Definition

oath (ōt̸h)

noun pl. oathsōt̸hz, ōt̸hs

    1. a ritualistic declaration, typically based on an appeal to God or a god or to some revered person or object, that one will speak the truth, keep a promise, remain faithful, etc.
    2. the ritual form used in making such a declaration
    3. the thing promised or declared in this way
  1. the irreverent or profane use of the name of God or of a sacred thing to express anger or emphasize a statement
  2. a swearword; curse

Etymology: ME oth < OE ath, akin to Ger eid, prob. via Celt < IE *oitos (> OIr ōeth) < base *ei-, to go (basic sense: ? to advance to take an oath) > year, L ire, to go

oath Idioms

take oath

to promise or declare by making an oath; swear solemnly

under oath

bound or obligated by having made a formal oath, as in a court of law

oath Synonyms

oath

n.

  1. An attestation of the truth

    affirmation, affidavit, vow, sworn statement, testimony, word, deposition, sworn declaration, contract, adjuration, avowal, pledge; see also declaration 1, promise 1.

    Antonyms denial*, disavowal, lie. *

  2. Curse

    malediction, swearword, blasphemy; see curse 1.

oath Law Definition

n

A solemn swearing to the truth of statements delivered orally and/or in written form. Making of false statements while under oath may result in prosecution for perjury. An affidavit is a written oath. See also affirmation.
oath of office
A sworn promise to carry out the duties and responsibilities of a position, diligently and as required by law.

oath Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • allegiance: In 1933 she removed the oath of allegiance to the King.
  • fealty: Members of all these classes swore an oath of fealty to the abbot to be true to him against all men except the king.
  • secrecy: Nurses and attendants selected for the execution ward had to sign a special oath of secrecy.
  • obedience: Ed was willing to take the oath of obedience.
  • loyalty: Several High Church clergy were unable to the oaths of loyalty imposed in William's reign.
  • supremacy: Those ordained abroad had to return within six months and take the oath of supremacy within two days of landing.

Converse of subject

bind: Of this handful, four have joined together once more, bound by oath, to finish properly a job started eight years ago.

Converse of object

  • swear: William also made everyone swear an oath of loyalty to him.
  • administer: They said " We have administered the oath " .
  • utter: And then Newman uttered a quiet oath as he drew back from the binocular display of the stereo television camera.

Adjective modifier

  • Hippocratic: You can find the full text of the original Hippocratic Oath on the MedHist website at the Wellcome Trust - go there now.
  • solemn: Ye swore a solemn oath just now that I Safely across this stream should carried be!
  • sworn: It's a sworn oath for magicians not to tell the audience how a trick is done.
  • judicial: Neither is it proposed that justices ' clerks ought to take the judicial oath.
  • sacred: The Bayeaux Tapestry clearly shows Harold swearing a sacred oath on the bones of a saint.
  • binding: Exorcists aim to place a binding oath on the demon to exit the body, whether it wants to or not.

Noun used with modifier

  • coronation: The monarch's coronation oath includes a promise to " defend the security " of the Church of Scotland.
  • thine: And ( it was said unto him ): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath.
  • loyalty: He became increasingly tyrannical and angered the English people with such measures as forced loans and loyalty oaths.
  • citizenship: The taking of a new citizenship oath and pledge is a legal requirement and the key moment at which citizenship is conferred.

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