Oath Definition
ōth
oaths
noun
oaths
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.
Webster's New World
The words or formula of such a declaration or promise.
American Heritage
The ritual form used in making such a declaration.
Webster's New World
The thing promised or declared in this way.
Webster's New World
The irreverent or profane use of the name of God or of a sacred thing to express anger or emphasize a statement.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
take an oath
- To agree to a pledge of truthfulness or faithful performance.
American Heritage
under oath
- Under a burden or responsibility to speak truthfully or perform an action faithfully.
American Heritage
take oath
- to promise or declare by making an oath; swear solemnly
Webster's New World
under oath
- bound or obligated by having made a formal oath, as in a court of law
Webster's New World
Other Word Forms of Oath
Noun
Singular:
oath
Plural:
oathsIdioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Oath
- take an oath
- under oath
- take oath
- under oath
Origin of Oath
-
From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath"), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath"), from Proto-Indo-European *oyt- (“oath"). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath"), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath"), West Frisian eed (“oath"), Dutch eed (“oath"), German Eid (“oath"), Swedish ed (“oath"), Icelandic eið (“oath"), Latin Å«tor (“use, employ, avail"), Old Irish óeth (“oath").
From Wiktionary
Middle English oth from Old English āth
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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