oath Definition
oath (ōt̸h)
noun pl. oathsōt̸hz, ōt̸hs
- 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.
- the ritual form used in making such a declaration
- the thing promised or declared in this way
- the irreverent or profane use of the name of God or of a sacred thing to express anger or emphasize a statement
- 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.
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.Curse
malediction, swearword, blasphemy; see curse 1.
oath Law Definition
n
oath of office
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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