swearn.
/swɛː/, U.S. /swɛ(ə)r/ Now colloquial.
An act of swearing; an oath.
1. A formal or solemn oath.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [noun] > solemn
oathOE
swarec1200
sermenta1325
jurament1575
asseveration1602
sanction1611
contestation1614
vowa1616
dejeration1626
sweara1643
dejury1683
fetish1705
vum1881
oath-pledge1884
a1643 W. Cartwright Ordinary (1651) iv. iv. 71 Gull'd by my swear, by my swear gull'd.
1691 Polit. Ballads (1860) II. 31 You must either take the swear, or starve.
a1704 T. Brown Dialogues of Dead in 4th Vol. Wks. (1720) 185 [He has] fac'd about to the Right, and taken the Swear.
1899 E. Phillpotts Human Boy ii. 38 We swore by a tremendous swear, to obey Trelawny.
1899 E. Phillpotts Human Boy iv. 108 She kept her swear all right.
2.
a. A profane oath, a swear-word; also, a fit or bout of swearing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [noun]
oatha1225
hunting oath1570
forbode1575
exorcism1601
expletive1647
rapper1675
oathlet1835
expletion1836
emphatic1868
swear1871
rounder1885
the mind > goodness and badness > state of being accursed > curse > [noun] > as everyday imprecation
oatha1225
malisonc1300
reproach1485
thunderbolt1559
revilement1577
thunder-crack1577
revile1579
ban1590
wish1597
thunder-clap1610
expletive1647
rapper1675
cuss1771
winze1786
Goddammit1800
goddam1828
dirty word1842
blank1854
emphatic1868
swear1871
sailor's blessing1876
blessing1878
goldarn1879
swear-word1883
rounder1885
curse-word1897
dang1906
sailor's farewell1937
1871 C. Gibbon For Lack of Gold v A good swear is a cure for the bile, so swear away.
1873 W. Carleton Farm Ballads 27 I've choked a dozen swears.
1894 W. Besant Equal Woman 127 He swore a swear.
1915 D. L. R. Lorimer Pashtu I. 194 Khlākah. Damn me. (An Afridi swear, said to be properly Khudāké.)
b. A harsh noise made by an angry cat, bird, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by noises > voice or sound made by animal > [noun] > shriek
scream1513
swear1895
crawk1915
1895 J. G. Millais Breath from Veldt iv. 67 Its cry of alarm, a jarring swear, is almost exactly like that of the common starling.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
swearv.
/swɛː/, U.S. /swɛ(ə)r/ I. To make a solemn declaration, solemnly or profanely.in extended use.1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet i. iv. 87 [He] sweares a Praier or two and sleepes againe. View more context for this quotation1823 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XIV xxxiv. 132 Sires, The Nestors of the sporting generation Swore praises, and recall'd their former fires.† 7. To use (a sacred name) in an oath; to invoke or appeal to (a deity, etc.) by an oath: = to swear by —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 1.
1. intransitive. To make a solemn declaration or statement with an appeal to God or a superhuman being, or to some sacred object, in confirmation of what is said; to take an oath.Const. by, on, or upon that to which appeal is made (see to swear by —— at Phrasal verbs 1, to swear on (or upon) —— at Phrasal verbs 1), in Old English on, þurh, under.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)]
queatheOE
sweara900
fangc1175
behightc1275
to make (hold, pay, keep, yield or break) a vowc1290
vowa1325
avowc1400
to plight (one's) faithc1410
promitc1422
promise1447
creance1477
to take in vow1526
votec1540
depose1610
vum1785
to nail down1859
pledge1928
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (intransitive)] > swear or take an oath
sweara900
sacrec1380
oathc1450
bread and salt1575
to take one's davy1764
buff1819
a900 Laws of K. Ælfred Introd. c. 48 Ne swergen ge næfre under hæðne godas.
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. v. 34 Ego autem dico uobis non iurare omnino, ic uutetlice cueðo iuh to ne suerige æfre [Rushw. þæt ge ne sellaþ hað vel swerge allunga, Ags. Gosp. þæt ge eallunga ne swerion, Hatton swerigan].
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 58 Ȝe ne schule for nane warien ne swerien. bute seggen witerliche oðer sikerliche.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 6 Ine non oþre manyere ne is no riȝt to zuerie.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 6848 Trowe on no goddes fals Swereþ not I bidde ȝou als.
c1410 Lanterne of Liȝt xii. 89 Ȝit enemyes purswen aȝen þis comaundement, & seyn þat Crist him silf swore, and hise seintis boþe.
1661 in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 122 Wee dare not sware least we sin against our God.
1716 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1901) V. 382 Charlett himself told me I should be forced to quit, if I did not swear (as I was resolved not to do).
1798 S. T. Coleridge Fears in Solitude 4 The book of life is made A superstitious instrument, on which We gabble o'er the oaths we mean to break, For all must swear.
1815 W. Scott Guy Mannering II. 174 ‘As a magistrate,..if you refuse to answer my questions, I must put you upon your oath.’ ‘Troth, sir, I am no free to swear.’
2. To promise or undertake something by an oath; to take an oath by way of a solemn promise or undertaking. (Const. as in 1; also const. dative or to the person to whom the promise is made.)figurative.a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 56 Hee'l be hang'd yet, Though euery drop of water sweare against it. And gape at widst to glut him. View more context for this quotationelliptical.a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) v. iv. 99 They shooke hands, and swore brothers. View more context for this quotation
a. intransitive. (See also to swear to —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 1.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)]
swearc825
hightOE
behighta1000
behestc1175
bespeakc1320
queatha1325
vow1338
avowc1374
undertakec1385
forhighta1400
forsweara1400
hest14..
promitc1422
promise1430
protest1430
to swear outa1440
to swear to ——1598
pollicitate1657
c825 Vesp. Psalter xiv. [xv.] 4 Qui jurat proximo suo et non decepit eum, se swereð ðæm nestan his & ne beswac hine.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11410-11 Ærst sweor [c1300 Otho swor] Arður..seoððen sworen [c1300 Otho sworen] eorles.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 2433 Iosep swor him al-so he bad.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Dido. 1321 And so ȝe wele me now to wiue take As ȝe han sworne.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 18362 Þou has þam drund and don forfare, Als þou til ur for-eildres suare.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11837 Priam on his part, & his prise knightes, Sweryn all swiftly, & no swyke thoghtyn.
1562 A. Scott Poems (1896) i. 134 Credence is past off promeis, thot thai sweir.
1637 J. Milton Comus 35 From her faire unspotted side Two blissfull twins are to be borne, Youth, and Ioy; so Iove hath sworne.
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ ii. vi. §6 God is said to swear when he binds himself absolutely to performance.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) ii. 20 ‘Can I rely upon your secresy?’..‘You can,’..‘Hear me swear——’ ‘No, no..don't swear; it's quite unnecessary.’
1902 V. Jacob Sheep-stealers viii ‘Swear, I tell ye.’ ‘I swear it, so help me God.’
b. with infinitive.
ΚΠ
1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1140 Alle diden him manred, & suoren þe pais to halden.
c1290 Beket 1007 in S. Eng. Leg. 135 He suor to holde þe eorþelich honur and hath i-broke is oth.
c1330 Arth. & Merl. 3405 xi kinges & doukes on Han ysworn, Arthour to slon.
1441 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 7 He sall swere to keep this statute.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 13643 Fayne were þo freikes..And swiftly þai swere..To be lell to þe lord all his lyf tyme.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry V f. lxxi All maner persones of holy Churche..that shal swere to kepe this presente accord.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost i. 322 Or in this abject posture have ye sworn To adore the Conquerour? View more context for this quotation
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian II. vi. 207 I have sworn to speak the truth only.
1832 W. Irving Alhambra II. 274 [He] swore not to raise his camp until he had gained possession of the place.
1867 W. D. Howells Ital. Journeys 105 At last we leave the gates, and swear each other to come again many times while in Naples.
c. with clause (occasionally with quoted words).
ΚΠ
c1000 Ælfric Joshua ii. 12 Sweriað me nu þurh drihten, þæt ge don eft wið me swilce mildheortnisse, swa ic macode wið eow.
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 213 Þe sullere..swereð þat he hit nele lasse selle, þe beggere..swereð þat he nele more geuen.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 14511 Heo..sworen þat heo wolden heore forward halden.
c1275 Laȝamon Brut 5866 We ȝou wolleþ swerie Vppen houre swerdes Þat we wolleþ ȝou bi-fore Libbe oþer ligge.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1876) VI. 445 He hadde byhote and i-swore þat he schulde ȝelde Normandye to Richard.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3225 Apon his kne he did him suere [Fairf. squere] þat he suld be lel errand berer.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) xxii Thenne he squere, ‘Be Ihesu, Mare sun, That body schalle neuyr in the erthe come, My siluyr tille that I haue.’
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) v. l. 864 He..swour he suld be wengit on that deid.
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 164 Elynour swered, Nay, Ye shall not beare away My ale for nought, By hym that me bought!
?1592 Trag. Solyman & Perseda v. ii. 63 He lept for ioy, swearing and promising That our reward should be redoubled.
1689 in Acts Parl. Scotl. (1875) XII. 51/1 I faithfully promitt in presence of the almighty god and swear þat I shall demean my self faithfully.
1813 W. Scott Rokeby iv. 173 Rokeby sware, No rebel's son should wed his heir.
d. transitive. With pronoun as object.
ΚΠ
OE Cynewulf Elene 686 Ic þæt geswerige þurh sunu meotodes, þone ohangnan god, þæt ðu hungre scealt for cneomagum cwylmed weorðan, buton þu forlæte þa leasunga.]
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 76 Ic hefde isworen luuien ich mot þe.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11231 Ælche ȝere ȝiuen [ich] þe wulle æhte..Þis ich wullen þe swerien [c1300 Otho swerie].
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 398 Godard stirt up, an swor al þat þe king him bad.
c1369 G. Chaucer Bk. Duchesse 1231 As I best koude I swore hir this.
c1412 T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum 2331 He rathir chees be disobedient..Than be forsworn of þat he swoor so depe.
1567 Compend. Bk. Godly Songs (1897) 91 Quhateuer he sweir to ony man,..His promeis he will keip.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iv. 96 How soon Would highth recal high thoughts, how soon unsay What feign'd submission swore . View more context for this quotation
1869 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest III. xii. 246 Harold then..swore, but what he swore is as uncertain as it is when and where he swore it.
3. transitive. With certain nouns: To promise or undertake on oath to observe or perform (something).absolute.a1400–50 Wars Alex. 2104 Þar sere citis of þa sidis to him-selfe sweren.a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iv. ii. 48 Son. What is a Traitor? Wife. Why one that sweares, and lyes. View more context for this quotation
a. fidelity, allegiance, etc.
ΚΠ
a1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. (Laud) anno 1123 Se ærceb[iscop] swor him underþeodnysse of ealle ða þing [etc.].
c1290 Beket 1017 in S. Eng. Leg. 135 Þou suore þe kynge eorþelich honour and nelt don him non.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1874) V. 331 Arthur..ȝaf hym Hampschire and Somersete..and fey was i-swore to hym.
a1400 K. Alis. (Laud) 7427 Hij duden hym alle feute And sworen to hym also leute.
c1440 Partonope (1862) 2723 The king of Fraunce tolde homage And ther-to suer hostage, That they shulde him bere fayth and trouth.
1600 E. Blount tr. G. F. di Conestaggio Hist. Uniting Portugall to Castill 76 That the Noblemen and Commons shoulde presently sweare obedience vnto them.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. iv. 19 That Altar, where we swore to you Deere Amity, and euerlasting loue. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) v. vi. 169 Then sweare Allegeance to his Maiesty. View more context for this quotation
1675 J. Crowne Andromache iv. 36 Go swear to her, the faith thou swor'st to me!
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xviii. 157 While the French nation and army were swearing fidelity round the eagles in the Champ de Mai.
b. an action that is to be accomplished.
ΚΠ
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 3994 Lauerd, þou send me now þi rede, Gains esau has suorn [Fairf. 14 squorne] mi dede.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxvii. 277 Thus duke Raoull sware the deth of Huon.
1568 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. T. Ritchie Bannatyne MS (1928) II. 262 Thot all hir kin had sworn hir deid.
1592 Arden of Feversham ii. ii. 131 The villaine hath sworne the slaughter of his maister.
c1600 Diurnal of Remarkable Occurrents (1833) 308 Be the tennour heirof sueris and promeissis ane cessatioun and abstinence from hostilitie.
1774 O. Goldsmith Grecian Hist. II. iii. 150 Whose destruction they had more than once swore.
1859 E. FitzGerald tr. Rubáiyát Omar Khayyám lxx. 15 Repentance oft before I swore.
c. conditions, an agreement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] > pledge or undertake to give or do
sweara1154
fast?a1160
plightc1275
givec1300
undertake1393
strokea1400
warranta1400
foldc1400
pledge?a1439
affiance1523
pass1528
betroth1573
assume1602
impawna1628
gagea1642
spond1698
guarantee1820
vouch1898
a1154 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1094 (Laud) Þær seo forewarde ær wæs gewroht and eac gesworen.
1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Rolls) VIII. 51 Þe articules þat he hadde i-swore in his crownynge.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Julius Caesar (1623) ii. i. 112 Cas. And let vs sweare our Resolution. Brut. No, not an Oath. View more context for this quotation
a1649 W. Drummond Wks. (1711) 49/1 Thou ne're Swore our Covenant.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 381 When the long Parliament engaged into the league with Scotland, he would not swear the Covenant.
1757 W. Wilkie Epigoniad vi. 167 A truce we swore; Jove witnessed the deed.
4. To affirm, assert, or declare something by an oath; to make oath to the truth of a statement. (Const. as in sense 1.)
a.
(a) intransitive: spec. to give evidence on oath (against a person). Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > evidence > give evidence [verb (intransitive)] > act as witness > on oath > on oath against a person
swearc825
c825 Vesp. Psalter ci. 9 [cii. 8] Adversum me jurabant, [hi] wið me sworun.
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Prol. 58 Al swere I nat, of this I wol nat lye.
c1420 Sir Amadace (Camden) xxiii Quen Sir Amadace herd that he hade squorne.
c1450 J. Capgrave Life St. Gilbert xxi He was reqwyred to come be-fore þe iuges & make þer a bodely oth wheythir he was gilty in þis mater or nowt. But þis refused he, for he saide he had leuer be exiled þan swere.
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 114 That which followeth I saw, whereof who so doubteth I will sweare.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 204 Swearing till my very rough [= roof] was dry with oathes of loue. View more context for this quotation
1623 W. Shakespeare & J. Fletcher Henry VIII v. i. 134 At what ease Might corrupt mindes procure, Knaues as corrupt To sweare against you. View more context for this quotation
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 31 Against themselves their Witnesses will Swear.
1810 G. Crabbe Borough xxii. 309 Why ask my Father?—that old Man will swear Against my Life; besides, he wasn't there.
(b) With home or hyperbolical expressions, as through a two-inch board; also, to swear one's way through…: denoting hard swearing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (intransitive)] > swear or use profanity > extravagantly
swear1678
1678 J. Ray Coll. Eng. Prov. (ed. 2) 271 He'll swear through an inch board, dagger out of sheath, the devil out of hell, 'till he's black in the face.
1680 in Hickeringill's Wks. (1716) II. 202 He swore home, or (as we say, through an Inch-board) against Records.
1722 D. Defoe Moll Flanders 348 The Witnesses swear so home against you.
1728 Earl of Ailesbury Mem. (1890) 372 Then he went through thick and thin, and, according to an old English phrase, swore through a two-inch board.
1864 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend (1865) I. i. xvi. 147 That severe exertion which is known in legal circles as swearing your way through a stone wall.
b. with clause (or equivalent object and complement or accusative and infinitive): often also, to affirm emphatically or confidently (without an oath).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > affirm by an oath
swear688
affirmc1425
688–95 Laws of Ine (Liebermann) c. 56 Oððe swerie þæt he him nan facn on nyste.
c1000 West Saxon Gospels: Matt. (Corpus Cambr.) xxvi. 74 Ða ætsoc he & swerede þæt he næfre þone man ne cuþe.
1038 Charter of Harold Haranfot in Kemble Cod. Dipl. IV. 57 Se king..swor..under god ælmihtine & under ealle halgan þarto þæt hit næfre næs na his ræd na his dæd.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1964 Til him he sweren ðat he liued.
c1374 G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite 122 He wolde preyen her to swere What was that worde.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xiv. 34 Haukyn..liȝtly gan swerye, ‘Who so leueth ȝow, by owre lorde I leue nouȝte he be blissed.’
c1385 G. Chaucer Legend Good Women Hypsipyle. 1378 O oftyn sworist thow that thow woldist deye.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 17493 Der yee suer, for godds blis, þat yee herd and sagh al þis?
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 456 I dorste swere they weyeden . ten pownd.
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope iii [He] swore vpon the holy euangely that he toke none of the ryche mans oylle.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxxiiv Sweryng by sainct George that the kyng of Englande was not extracted of no noble house.
1609 W. Shakespeare Sonnets cxlvii. sig. I3v I haue sworne thee faire, and thought thee bright.
1621 M. Wroth Countesse of Mountgomeries Urania 468 She swore I loued her not, began to lament her selfe, wept, and cryd; O vnconstant men.
1674 C. F. Wit at Venture 60 Our Town..Can't shew the like I'le sware.
1711 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 116 To refuse sweareing the said Queen to be head..of the English church, was a premunire.
1717 Lady M. W. Montagu Let. 1 Apr. (1965) I. 325 I dare swear..that..'tis a very comfortable refflection to you.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. ii. viii. 153 His Men came back in a Fright, swearing they had seen a swimming House.
1847 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair (1848) xxxix. 357 He swore it was as good as a play to see her in the character of a fine dame.
1866 A. Trollope Belton Estate I. iv. 87 He swore to himself that he did love her.
c. transitive with pronoun as object.
ΚΠ
c1200 Vices & Virtues 9 Al þat we more sweriȝeð, swo it is euel and senne.
c1275 Sinners Beware 19 in Old Eng. Misc. 72 Ah ich hit segge and swerie.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 647 Soth it is, þat men seyt and suereth.
c1400 Rom. Rose 7638 But trustith wel, I swere it yow, That it is clene out of his thought.
1638 in F. P. Verney & M. N. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) I. 124 By my soule I dare swear itt.
1649 C. Walker Anarchia Anglicana ii. 105 Should they Vote..Oliver's Nose a Ruby, they would expect we should sweare it, and fight for it.
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian ix, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. II. 217 Her father..tormented himself with imagining what the one sister might say or swear.
5. transitive. With certain nouns:
a. To take an oath as to the fact or truth of; to confirm (a statement) by oath. Also †to swear sooth, to swear truth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)] > by oath
swear1377
contest1579
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > support, corroborate > by oath, etc.
swear1377
contest1579
attest1665
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xx. 160 Her syre was a sysour þat neure swore treuthe.
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Eccles. ix. 2 As a for~sworn, so and he that soth swerth [L. ut perjurus, ita et ille qui verum dejerat].
1565 in J. H. Burton Reg. Privy Council Scotl. (1877) 1st Ser. I. 404 Havand diverse of thair servandis fylit in the billis of Elname Newtoun..quhilkis billis ar sworne.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 515 Depositions were prepared for them: And they promised to swear them.
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) He swore treason against his friend.
1805 W. Cruise Digest Laws Eng. Real Prop. V. 343 Every such affidavit..shall be sworn before a person duly authorized to take affidavits in this court.
1847 Countess of Blessington Marmaduke Herbert lxii Two men..against whom Mr. Herbert had sworn information for a conspiracy to extort money from him.
b. To proclaim or declare with an oath or solemn affirmation.to swear the peace against: see peace n. Phrases 5d.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > state or declare an oath
benamec1000
swear1390
depose?a1500
deponec1550
dejeratea1641
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 300 Whan he hath his trouthe suore.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1825 He..swere swyfte [by] his sothe þat he hit sese nolde.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing ii. i. 158 I heard him sweare his affection. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost v. 814 The just Decree of God, pronounc't and sworn . View more context for this quotation
1709 J. Strype Ann. Reformation li. 513 That they should swear his supremacy, and obedience to him before some priest.
1871 J. Morley Carlyle in Crit. Misc. (1878) 1st Ser. 168 A man of genius is at liberty to..swear all his conclusions.
c. To value on oath at so much.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > value on oath at so much
swear1843
1843 R. S. Surtees Handley Cross III. viii. 164 She died.—Her wealth was great..and the captain..soon discovered he might swear the property under twelve thousand pounds, without defrauding himself.
1873 Chambers's Jrnl. 10 May 304/2 James Wood, of Gloucester, who died in 1836, possessed of property sworn under £900,000.
1896 Law Times 100 508/1 The gross personal estate is sworn at £37,405. 16. 10.
6. To take or utter (an oath), either solemnly or profanely (cf. sense 8). Also const. as in 1, 2, 4.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [verb (transitive)]
swearOE
to swear by ——c1220
cuss1779
oath1834
OE Beowulf 472 He me aþas swor.
c1050 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1049 (MS. C) [He] cwæð þæt he him aþas swerigan wolde & him hold beon.
a1123 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1109 Ðær wurdon..þa aðas gesworene his dohter þam Casere to gifene.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 149 Þis hwelpes [sc. Blasphemy] nurice is þe swerieð greate oðes.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) l. 328 Þe king wes swiðe wrað & swar muchelne oað.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 82 By Mahonet ys oþ þanne a swer.
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) l. 1045 Y til him am trewe y-pliȝt & haue myn oþ y-swered.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 4650 Al þat barunage,..To þis ioseph an ath þai suare.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour Prol. 2 Grete fals othes that the fals men vsen to swere to the women.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur viii. ii. 275 He..sware a grete othe that he shold slee her but yf she told hym trouthe.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VII f. xviiv Thys othe he sware in the great Church of Bruges.
a1648 Ld. Herbert Life (1976) 37 [Queen Elizabeth] swearing her vsual Oath demaunded who is this?
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 629 He..mumbling, swears A bible-oath to be whate'er they please.
1823 W. Scott Quentin Durward III. x. 270 Never was false oath sworn on this most sacred relique, but it was avenged within the year.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. ix. 215 My lord swore one of his large oaths that he did not know in the least what she meant.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assurance, confirmation, or guarantee > assure, confirm, or guarantee [verb (transitive)] > invoke or appeal to (a deity, etc.) by an oath
swear1303
1303 R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne 608 Swere nat hys name yn ydulnys.
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 3498 Tac ðu nogt in idel min name, Ne swer it les to fele in gamen.
c1380 J. Wyclif Wks. (1880) 60 Many..men swerynge herte & bonys & nailis & oþere membris of crist.
c1400 Rom. Rose 5965 Yit wolde I swere, for sikirnesse, The pole of helle to my witnesse.
1430–40 J. Lydgate tr. Bochas Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) viii. xiv. 384/1 Nat afferd to suere goddis bonys With horrible othes of bodi flessh & blood.
1509 A. Barclay Brant's Shyp of Folys (Pynson) f. clxxxiiiiv But nowe eche sweryth the Mas comonly.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 152 Lear. Now by Appollo, Kent. Now by Appollo King thou swearest thy Gods in vaine. View more context for this quotation
8.
a. intransitive. To utter a form of oath lightly or irreverently, as a mere intensive, or an expression of anger, vexation, or other strong feeling; to use the Divine or other sacred name, or some phrase implying it, profanely in affirmation or imprecation; to utter a profane oath, or use profane language habitually; more widely, to use bad language. (See also to swear at —— at Phrasal verbs 1) to swear and stare: see stare v. 1c(a).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (intransitive)] > swear or use profanity
curse?c1225
oathc1450
swearc1450
to swear like a lord1531
profanea1643
sink1663
rip1772
cuss1838
to let out1840
explete1902
eff1943
foul-mouth1960
c1450 How Good Wijf (Lamb. 853) in Babees Bk. (2002) i. 39 To swere be þou not leefe.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour i. xxvi. sig. Mvi They wyll say he that swereth depe, swereth like a lorde.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry i. f. 15v Let him in no wyse suffer them [sc. servants] to sweare or to blaspheme.
1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses (new ed.) i. sig. Fviv Then fell she to sweare, and teare, to cursse and banne.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 i. i. 186 Oft haue I seene this haughtie Cardinall..Sweare..like a Ruffin.
1705 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus I. iii. 17 Your Folly makes me stare; Such talk would make a Parson swear.
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 45 He never swears, but in his Cups.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond ix O, sir, it would have frightened you to hear a Christian babe like him swear as he did.
1902 G. K. Menzies Provincial Sketches 17 Where a golfer, club in hand, Freely swears As he hacks with all his might.
b. to swear pink (colloquial): to make vehement protestations; to ‘swear blind’.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > insistence or persistence > insist or persist [verb (intransitive)]
perseverec1380
clencha1400
standc1400
to stand to it1549
beat1579
insist1596
hammer1598
consist1600
persist1600
re-enforce1603
to swear pink1956
1956 E. Pound tr. Sophocles Women of Trachis 20 And you swore pink they were bringing her to be Heracles' wife.
c. To utter a harsh guttural sound, as an angry cat or other animal. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > by noises > voice or sound made by animal > make sound [verb (intransitive)] > shriek
shritcha1250
scritcha1300
screamc1340
shriek1567
screech1577
screak1607
squall1630
sweara1728
stridulate1838
a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) (at cited word) The dog swears when he grumbles and snarles.
1753 J. Collier Ess. Art of Tormenting Concl. 232 [The cat] swears, she growls, and shews all the salvage motions of her heart.
1896 F. Galton in Spectator 11 Apr. 515 When Phyllis was a kitten she had wild fits, tearing round the room and ‘swearing’ horribly.
1902 Strand Mag. Jan. 72/2 Away to the east an angry [locomotive] engine was swearing.
9. transitive.
a. To bring or get into some specified condition or position by swearing. (See also Phrasal verbs 2.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)] > bring or get into specific condition by swearing
swear1598
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by
swear1598
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 275 Berowne did sweare him selfe out of all suite.
1616 S. S. Honest Lawyer iv. sig. G4v I would sweare them to the Gallous, as well as they swore me out of my money.
1728 Street-robberies, Consider'd 6 She might have swore her Eyes out of her Head, for the unbelieving Wretches did not mind what she said or swore.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy I. vii. 140 The miller swore himself as black as night that he stopt them at twelve o'clock.
1846 D. Jerrold Mrs. Caudle x. 30 Because once in your lifetime your shirt wanted a button, you must almost swear the roof off the house.
b. To put upon or ascribe to a person in a sworn statement.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > ascribe to a person in a sworn statement
swear1754
the world > existence and causation > causation > attribution or assignment of cause > assign to a cause [verb (transitive)] > attribute something to someone > put upon or ascribe to someone > in a sworn statement
swear1754
1754 W. Goodall Exam. Lett. Mary Queen of Scots Introd. 12 To the end that they might convict Murray and his party, both of murdering the King, and of forging papers, and then swearing them upon her.
1785 J. Trusler Mod. Times II. 142 To..lay them [sc. their bastards] at the doors of some gentlemen's houses, or swear them to persons that had been their common disturbers.
1900 S. J. Weyman Sophia iii A silver tankard and twenty-seven guineas she took with her, and I'll swear them to you.
II. To be bound by oath, and related uses.
10. with compl.1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxxvij He..hanged the Frenchmen, because thei wer once sworne English, and after, brake their othe.a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 151 Ile sweare my selfe thy Subiect. View more context for this quotation1682 J. Dryden Mac Flecknoe 9 Hannibal did to the Altars come, Sworn by his Sire a Mortal Foe to Rome.† b. to have, make, take (a person) sworn: to administer an oath to. Obsolete.
a. Originally passive. To be bound by oath (see also sworn brother at sworn adj. 1a, etc.); hence actively, to cause to take an oath; to bind by an oath; to put (a person) upon his oath; to administer an oath to. Also const. on as in 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > be bound
swearc1050
plighta1325
surec1425
to be conjured1583
c1050 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 375/21 Conspirati, onan gesworene.
a1400 Minor Poems from Vernon MS xlix. 148 Good schame, holynesse, & curtesye As breþuren ben sworen.
1431 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 88 [I bequeath] To Maude Wilbe, xx li, so am y sworne.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour xvii Thereof y am suore.
1483–7 Star Chamber Proc. (Som. Rec. Soc. 1911) 43 The same abbot wold not be sworne vppon eny answer.
1514 in J. Stuart Extracts Council Reg. Aberdeen (1844) I. 90 To be suorn the gret bodelie aitht.
1545 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Court of Requests (1898) 80 William Warwyck..sworen vpon his othe sayth.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 301 The first intergory [perh. read intergotory] that my Nerrissa shall be sworne on. View more context for this quotation
1681 Arraignm.,Tryal & Condemnation S. Colledge 35 Mr. Att[orney] Gen[eral]. Swear Stevens. (Which was done.)
1776 Trial Maha Rajah Nundocomar for Forgery 52/1 You have sworn me upon the waters of the Ganges: how can I tell more than I remember?
1827 J. Bentham Rationale Judicial Evid. I. ii. vi. 418 Tender the oath: if he accepts it, swear him.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. i. 20 Commissioners were appointed throughout the kingdom to swear every man to the value of his possessions.
1912 Times 19 Dec. 12/6 A member of a French Roman Catholic Sisterhood objected to be sworn on the Testament.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise, vow, or pledge [verb (intransitive)] > administer an oath to a person
takec1300
to have, make, take (a person) swornc1400
administer1589
c1400 Anturs of Arth. liv Þay made hyme sworne to Sir Gawane.
15.. Sir A. Barton in Surtees Misc. (1890) 69 And ther he tooke me sworne.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 46 The erle of Angwyche..whome the kynge..had hym with the other lordes of Scotlonde shorne and resevyd the sacrament that [etc.].
?a1600 Lord of Learne 289 in F. J. Furnivall Percy Folio (1867) I. 192 I am tane sworne vpon a booke, & forsworne I will not bee.
c. Const. to a person (i.e. in allegiance or service), a rule, a course of action, a declaration, etc. Similarly const. against.Now chiefly in to swear to secrecy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)] > bind by a promise > to a course of action, etc.
swear1297
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 5520 Sire..ich was ysuore to him ar to þe.
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) xiii. 69 Eche man..ȝer [beo] isuuore ant assised to armes..þat is to wite, to viftene pond worth of londe.
1338 R. Mannyng Chron. (1725) 168 Now is Cipres lorn fro Isaac & hise, & to R. suorn for his valiantise.
c1386 G. Chaucer Squire's Tale 10 As of the secte of which þat he was born He kepte his lay, to which þat he was sworn.
a1400 St. Matthew 270 in Horstm. Altengl. Leg. (1881) 135 To chastite þan was scho sworn.
c1430 Freemasonry (1840) 436 And alle these poyntes hyr before, To hem thou most nede be y-swore.
c1509 in I. S. Leadam Select Cases Star Chamber (1903) I. 277 Eche of them had offendid the sayd statute of the Cyte whervnto they ware swarne.
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 7th Serm. sig. Aav I woulde not haue men to be sworne to them, & so adicte as to take hand ouer hed whatsoeuer they say.
1684 in S. Hazard Pennsylvania Arch. (1882) I. 87 That the Lord Balltemoare had sworne all the Inhabitants..with faith and Alleigense to him.
1690 J. Dryden Don Sebastian v. 131 Let me swear you all to Secresy.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 779 The King had sent Commissioners to Swear Men to the Observation of the Charters.
1745 R. L. Gower in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1843) I. 75 We have all been swore to our depositions.
1815 W. Scott Lord of Isles iii. xxiv. 111 Sworn to vigil and to fast.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond I. vii. 149 He swore Harry to secrecy too, which vow the lad religiously kept.
1859 R. Piddington Last of Cavaliers III. xlii. 138 Oh, was that Heaven itself sworn against me, that this was always hidden from me, to crush me so at last!
d. with infinitive.
ΚΠ
c1325 Poem Times Edw. II (Percy) x The erchedeknes that beth sworn To visite holy cherche.
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde iii. 312 I am sworn to holden it secree.
1470–85 T. Malory Morte d'Arthur Table Contents 9 He was sworne vpon a book to telle the trouthe of his queste.
a1530 Duke of Norfolk in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1846) 3rd Ser. I. 378 I have soren all the Commissioners not to disclose any parte thereof to any other creature.
1531 in J. Bulloch Pynouris (1887) 62 Five of the best pynouris..sorne the grit aytht to be leill and trew to the merchandis.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VIII f. lv [The] crowner..assembled a quest..and hath sworne theim truely to enquire of the death of one Rychard Hun.
1597 W. Shakespeare Richard III i. iv. 203 Thy soueraignes sonne..Whom thou wert sworne to cherish and defend.
1686 J. Goad Astro-meteorologica i. ix. 29 They do not swear us to believe All they deliver.
1773 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. (ed. 5) i. ii. 180 A select committee of fifteen members, who are sworn well and truly to try the same.
1805 H. T. Colebrooke Védas in Misc. Ess. (1837) I. 43 The priest swears the soldier by a most solemn oath, not to injure him.
1827 H. Hallam Constit. Hist. Eng. I. ix. 556 The..keeper of the great seal to be sworn to issue writs for a new parliament.
e. with clause. ? Obsolete.
ΚΠ
a1450 Knt. de la Tour xix They were suoren that none shulde late his wiff haue weting of her wager.
1570 in Archaeologia 40 392 This examynate dyd swere hym upon a booke that he shuld not practys the same.
a1593 C. Marlowe Edward II (1594) sig. A3v [We] were sworne to your father at his death, That he should nere returne into the realme.
1679 Established Test 21 His Father swore him before the Altars..that he should be perpetuus Romani nominis Osor.
f. I dare be sworn, I'll be sworn, expressing strong affirmation, literally implying readiness to take an oath upon the fact. archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [phrase] > readiness to take an oath
I dare be sworn1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice v. i. 172 I dare be sworne for him he would not leaue it. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) i. iv. 140 Ile be sworne on a booke shee loues you. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) iii. iii. 26 Ile besworne 'tis true. View more context for this quotation
1693 Humours & Conversat. Town 4 I'll be sworn, it has seem'd an Age to me.
1835 E. Bulwer-Lytton Rienzi I. i. x. 127 I dare be sworn the good man spent the whole night in painting it himself.
11. spec.
a. To admit to an office or function by administering a formal oath. (See also to swear in at Phrasal verbs 2.)
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > appoint a person to an office [verb (transitive)] > admit to office by oath
sweara1049
to swear ina1684
a1049 Anglo-Saxon Chron. ann. 1041 (MS. C) He..wæs to cinge gesworen.
a1400 Old Usages Winchester in Eng. Gilds 350 Þer sholde be twey baylyues y-swore in þe Citee.
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Commentaries f. lxxxvjv He appoynteth and sweareth others in theyr steade.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. II. 130 Men empaneled and sworne for to enquire of the aforesayd articles.
1623–4 Act 21 Jas. I c. 31 §1 To..choose and sweare one Master two Wardens sixe Searchers and foure and twentie Assistantes.
1681 Arraignm.,Tryal & Condemnation S. Colledge 21 Mr. Sheriff, there are a great many of the Jury that are not Sworn, they are discharged.
1712 H. Prideaux Direct. Church-wardens (ed. 4) 46 If any Arch-Deacon..shall refuse to Swear a Church-warden into his Office.
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. I. vii. xi. 397 Lafayette..swears the remaining Bodyguards, down in the Marble Court.
1857 J. Toulmin Smith Parish (new ed.) 91 A Churchwarden may execute his office before he is sworn.
1880 M. E. Braddon Just as I Am viii The jury were sworn.
b. with complement, usually expressing the office or function to which the person is appointed.
ΚΠ
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 15036 Kinges heo weoren ihouene & kinges isworene.
1556 in J. G. Nichols Chron. Grey Friars (1852) 73 The xxti day of December [1551] was sorne the byshoppe of Ely lorde [chancellor of Engla]nd.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) ii. iii. 48 I am come to fetch you home: I am sworn of the peace. View more context for this quotation
a1619 E. M. Wingfield Disc. Virginia in Trans. Amer. Antiq. Soc. (1860) 4 101 Mr Archer's quarrell to me was..because I would not sware him of the Councell for Virginia.
1626 Earl of Wintoun in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. i. 45 Sum ladys ar suorne of the Quenis bed chalmer.
1628 in Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS: Var. Coll. (1907) IV. 238 A certificate..that he..be fitt to be sworne a free cittizen.
1665 in F. P. Verney & M. M. Verney Mem. Verney Family 17th Cent. (1907) II. 244 I am told Sir John Dynham's Lady and fine Mrs. Middleton are sworne the Queen's Dressers.
1727 A. Pope et al. Περι Βαθους: Art of Sinking 92 in J. Swift et al. Misc.: Last Vol. This may be obviated, by swearing those Six Persons of his Majesty's Privy Council.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. III. xii. 151 Richard..had been sworn of the Irish Privy Council.
Phrasal verbs
PV1. to swear at —— to swear by —— to swear for —— to swear off —— to swear on (or upon) —— to swear to —— to swear with ——
1. To imprecate evil upon by an oath; to address with profane imprecation; gen. to utter maledictions against; to curse.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > [verb (transitive)]
waryc725
accurselOE
forcurse1154
cursec1175
for-waryc1175
bana1275
ashend1297
to bid (something) misadventurec1330
shrew1338
beshrew1377
maledighta1400
to fare (also go, come) to mischancec1400
defyc1430
destinya1450
condemn1489
detest1533
adjure1539
beshrompa1549
widdle1552
becurse1570
malison1588
consecrate1589
exaugurate1600
execrate1612
imprecate1616
blasta1634
damna1640
vote1644
to swear at ——1680
devote1749
maledict1780
comminate1801
bless1814
peste1824
cuss1863
bedamn1875
mugger1951
society > faith > worship > excommunication > excommunicate [verb (transitive)]
waryc725
cursec1050
amanseOE
accurselOE
forcurse1154
mansec1175
ban1303
sequester1395
maledighta1400
anathematize?1473
excommune1483
excommenge1502
excommunicate1526
precide1529
aban1565
anathemize1585
malison1588
consecrate1589
inknot1611
shammatize1613
anathemate1615
unchurcha1620
innodate1630
discommon1639
to swear at ——1680
devote1749
maledict1780
comminate1801
fulminate1806
imban1807
dischurch1990
1680 H. More Apocalypsis Apocalypseos 357 The Wits of this age that are ready to swear and flear at any such profession.
1779 J. Warner in J. H. Jesse G. Selwyn & his Contemp. (1844) IV. 13 In a fury, swearing like an Emperor at all the world.
1845 B. Disraeli Sybil II. iii. iii. 44 Master Joseph Diggs did nothing but blaspheme and swear at his customers.
1864 S. B. Warner Old Helmet II. 82 He swore at them [sc. drives in the park] for the stupidest entertainment man ever pleased himself with.
1891 ‘J. S. Winter’ Lumley iv. 26 This important man, who was probably swearing at fate that he must pass the next two hours [etc.].
2. figurative. Of colours, etc.: To be violently incongruous or inharmonious with. colloquial. (Cf. French jurer.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous with [verb (transitive)] > conflict with > specifically of colours, etc.
to swear with ——1789
to swear at ——1884
1884 Daily News 10 Nov. 3/1 Two tints that swear at each other.
1889 Harper's Mag. Jan. 258/2 What is new in it in the way of art, furniture, or bric-à-brac..may ‘swear’ at the old furniture and the delightful old portraits.
1. To appeal to, or use a formula of appeal to (a divine being or sacred object, or something affectedly or trivially substituted therefor) in swearing; to say ‘by…’ as a form of oath: cf. by prep. 2. to swear by no beggars, to swear by no bugs: see beggar n. 1c, bug n.1 Phrases.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > malediction > oaths > [verb (transitive)]
swearOE
to swear by ——c1220
cuss1779
oath1834
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > swear by
to swear by ——c1220
oath1740
c1220 Bestiary 597 He sweren bi ðe rode, bi ðe sunne & bi ðe mone.
a1300 Pol. Songs (Camden) 70 Sire Simond de Mountfort hath swore bi ys chyn [etc.].
a1300 Pol. Songs (Camden) 70 Sire Simond de Montfort hath suore bi ys cop [etc.].
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 45 A knyȝt wes þet zuor be godes eȝen.
c1386 G. Chaucer Miller's Prol. 17 In Pilates voys he gan to crie And swoor by Armes, and by blood, and bones.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 6847 Bi fals godds suer yee nan.
14.. R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) App. K. 3 (MS. β) Þer of we schul awreke beo, I swere be my heued.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cvi I swere be suthfast god that settis all on sevin.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing iv. i. 276 Bened. By my sword Beatrice, thou louest me. Beat. Do not sweare and eate it. View more context for this quotation
a1631 J. Donne Satires i. 13 First sweare by thy best love in earnest..Thou wilt not leave mee in the middle street, Though some more spruce companion thou dost meet.
1721 R. Wodrow Hist. Sufferings Church of Scotl. (1838) I. i. iv. 333/2 That to swear by faith, conscience, and the like, were innocent ways of speaking.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxxi. 229 They had sworn, by the sacred head of the emperor himself.
1842 Ld. Tennyson Godiva in Poems (new ed.) II. 113 He laugh'd, and swore by Peter and by Paul.
1876 Ld. Tennyson Harold v. i. 128 The strange Saints By whom thou swarest.
2. To swear to or be sure of the existence of (cf. to swear to —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 1): in enough to swear by, expressing a very slight amount. colloquial or slang.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > smallness of quantity, amount, or degree > [noun] > a small quantity or amount > a very small amount
shredc1000
farthingsworthc1325
pennyworthc1330
incha1350
sliverc1374
chipa1393
gnastc1440
Jack1530
spoonful1531
crumba1535
spark1548
slight1549
pin's worth1562
scruple1574
thought1581
pinch1583
scrap1583
splinter1609
ticket1634
notchet1637
indivisible1644
tinyc1650
twopence1691
turn of the scale(s)1706
enough to swear by1756
touch1786
scrimptiona1825
infinitesimal1840
smidgen1841
snuff1842
fluxion1846
smitchel1856
eyelash1860
smidge1866
tenpenceworth1896
whisker1913
tidge1986
1756 C. Lucas Ess. Waters iii. 138 They prescribe them..in some quantity, though it be but enough to swear by.
1884 ‘H. Collingwood’ Under Meteor Flag 40 The two ships touched with a shock which was barely perceptible, just enough in fact to ‘swear by,’ as the gunner remarked.
3. To accept as an infallible authority; to have absolute confidence in. colloquial.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > belief, trust, confidence > act of convincing, conviction > convince, be convincing [verb (intransitive)] > be convinced > without any doubts
possess1563
to swear by ——a1817
a1817 J. Austen Persuasion (1818) III. vi. 103 I have no very good opinion of Mrs. Charles's nursery-maid... Mrs. Charles quite swears by her. View more context for this quotation
1864 E. Yates Broken to Harness I. x. 173 He is always..changing his medical system: now vaunting the virtues of blue-pill, now swearing by homœopathy.
1890 G. A. Henty With Lee in Virginia 91 We have a first-rate fellow in command of the cavalry..His fellows swear by him.
To answer for under oath, or with assurance. ? Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > confirm by an oath
to swear for ——1579
to swear to ——a1616
1579 S. Gosson Schoole of Abuse f. 43 It is hard to say that all offend, yet I promise you, I wil sweare for none.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iv. iv. 155 Ile sweare for 'em. View more context for this quotation
To abjure, forswear, renounce. (Cf. to swear off 3 at Phrasal verbs 2) colloquial or slang.
ΚΠ
1898 A. F. Leach Beverley Act Bk. I. 315 Ingelram keeps a concubine... Confesses and swears off her.
To take an oath, symbolically touching or placing the hand on (a sacred object); †formerly also, to swear by (a deity, etc.) = to swear by —— 1 at Phrasal verbs 1: cf. on prep. 1f.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > by touching sacred object
to swear on ——c950
c950 Lindisf. Gosp. Matt. xxiii. 18 Quicumque iurauerit in altari, seðe suerias on wig-bed.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1978) l. 11407 Bringeð þene halidom and ich wulle swerien [c1300 Otho swerie] þer-on.
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1077 The king aþelwald me dide swere Vpon al þe messegere Þat [etc.]
c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1082 Þat gart he me sweren on þe bok.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. i. 97 Dauid..Dubbede knihtes, Dude hem swere on heor swerd to serue treuþe euere.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 11381 All sweire þai, full swiftly, vpon swete haloues.
?1553 Respublica (1952) iv. iv. 39 For my parte I will sware the gosspell booke vppon.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) ii. ii. 123 I'le sweare vpon that Bottle, to be thy true subiect. View more context for this quotation
1821 J. Baillie Ld. John in Metrical Legends xiv Were I on my father's sword to swear.
1. To promise or undertake with a solemn oath (an act or course of action): cf. 2. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)]
swearc825
hightOE
behighta1000
behestc1175
bespeakc1320
queatha1325
vow1338
avowc1374
undertakec1385
forhighta1400
forsweara1400
hest14..
promitc1422
promise1430
protest1430
to swear outa1440
to swear to ——1598
pollicitate1657
1028–60 Laws Northumbrian Priests §57 (Liebermann 384/1) Þæt hi hit gegaderian and eft agifan, swa hi durran to swerian.]
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost i. i. 53 Longa. You swore to that Berowne, and to the rest. View more context for this quotation
1671 H. M. tr. Erasmus Colloquies 401 Even when he had deeply sworn to it.
1710 H. Prideaux Orig. & Right Tithes v. 275 The English..made all, that reigned over them, to sware to the keeping of them.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor vii, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. II. 128 I have sacrificed to you projects of vengeance long nursed, and sworn to with ceremonies little better than heathen.
2. To affirm with an oath; to express assurance of the truth of (a statement), or the identity of (a person or thing), by swearing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > confirm by an oath
to swear for ——1579
to swear to ——a1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) v. iii. 292 He knowes I am no Maid, and hee'l sweare too 't. View more context for this quotation
a1718 M. Prior Poems Several Occasions (1723) II. 12 Ad's Life! must One swear to the Truth of a Song?
1757 D. Hume Hist. Great Brit. II. iii. 120 The greatest interest could not engage him [sc. a quaker], in any court of judicature, to swear even to the truth.
1801 M. Edgeworth Forester in Moral Tales I. 192 He..held the book to him, and demanded, whether he would swear to the person, from whom he received the note.
1841 W. M. Thackeray Great Hoggarty Diamond xii Mr. Abednego and the two gentlemen from Houndsditch were present to swear to their debts.
1848 G. Wyatt Revelations of Orderly (1849) 82 They came and swore to having served the dustucks.
1859 H. Kingsley Recoll. G. Hamlyn I. v. 42 There was something about his toute ensemble..that would have made an Australian policeman swear to him as a convict without the least hesitation.
1908 R. Bagot Anthony Cuthbert xxiv. 315 You could swear to its authenticity, or the reverse, if necessary?
= sense to swear at —— 2 at Phrasal verbs 1. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > disorder > disharmony or incongruity > be unharmonious or incongruous with [verb (transitive)] > conflict with > specifically of colours, etc.
to swear with ——1789
to swear at ——1884
1789 H. Walpole Let. 2 July (1961) XXXI. 306 I do not propose putting your name.., as I think it would swear with the air of ancientry you have adopted in the signature and notes.
1976 C. Oman Oxf. Childhood 101 It was decreed that she must wear a rose-pink robe which swore most horribly with her greatest asset.
PV2. to swear away to swear down to swear in to swear off † 1. To resign one's office. Obsolete. to swear out † 1. To utter a solemn charge or challenge in regard to. Also absol. Obsolete.† 2. To forswear, abjure. Obsolete.
To take away by swearing; to give evidence on oath so as to destroy or cause the loss of.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by > take away
to swear awaya1763
society > law > administration of justice > court proceedings or procedure > evidence > give evidence of [verb (transitive)] > declare upon oath > destroy or cause loss of by
to swear awaya1763
a1763 W. King Polit. & Lit. Anecd. (1819) 191 Who for a small bribe would swear away any man's life.
1873 E. Thompson Hist. Eng. xxxv. 172 By him and by others who made a profit of perjury, the lives of many innocent Romanists were sworn away.
1879 A. W. Tourgée Fool's Errand xi. 50 What! allow a nigger to testify! allow him to swear away your rights and mine!
1. To put down or put to silence by swearing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > taciturnity or reticence > refrain from uttering [verb (transitive)] > silence or prevent from speaking
to stop a person's mouthc1175
stilla1225
to keep ina1420
stifle1496
to knit up1530
to muzzle (up) the mouth1531
choke1533
muzzle?1542
to tie a person's tongue1544
tongue-tiea1555
silence1592
untongue1598
to reduce (a person or thing) to silence1605
to bite in1608
gaga1616
to swear downa1616
to laugh down1616
stifle1621
to cry down1623
unworda1627
clamour1646
splint1648
to take down1656
snap1677
stick1708
shut1809
to shut up1814
to cough down1823
to scrape down1855
to howl down1872
extinguish1878
hold1901
shout1924
to pipe down1926
the world > action or operation > prosperity > success > mastery or superiority > have or gain mastery or superiority over [verb (transitive)] > overcome or defeat > by other specific means
out-strive?1614
to swear downa1616
over-clamour1713
outpsychc1965
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by > put down or put to silence
to swear downa1616
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 657 With othes grete he was so sworn adoun That he was holden wood.]
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 228 There did this periur'd Goldsmith sweare me downe. View more context for this quotation
2. To bring or call down by swearing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > testing > attestation, witness, evidence > attest, bear witness [verb (transitive)] > call to witness
to take witness of1390
vouchc1412
record1590
attest1609
to swear downa1616
appeal1645
to take up1821
invoke1851
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by > bring or call down
to swear downa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 241 Though they would swear downe each particular Saint. View more context for this quotation
To admit or induct into an office by administering a prescribed oath.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > appointment to office > appoint a person to an office [verb (transitive)] > admit to office by oath
sweara1049
to swear ina1684
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by > admit or induct into an office
to swear ina1684
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1673 (1955) IV. 25 Council, & sware Mr. Lock Secretary.
1768 T. Gray Let. 27 Aug. in Corr. (1971) III. 1045 As soon as I have been sworn in, & subscribed.
1828 Ld. Ellenborough Diary (1881) I. 8 Went to the Cottage to be sworn in as a Privy Councillor and Lord Privy Seal.
1857 G. A. Lawrence Guy Livingstone iv The municipal authorities..swore in no end of specials as a reserve.
1891 Times (Weekly ed.) 16 Aug. 641/3 The process of swearing-in the members of the Lower-House began.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > office > withdrawing from or vacating office > vacate office [verb (intransitive)]
resign1395
recede1452
retirec1598
to take, lay down, resign the fascesa1625
to go out1642
to sing one's nunc dimittis1642
to make one's bowa1656
to lay down1682
to swear off1698
vacate1812
to send in one's papers1872
to step down1890
to stand down1926
society > occupation and work > lack of work > [verb (intransitive)] > vacate an office or position > resign
resign1395
resignate1531
to go out1642
to lay down1682
to swear off1698
to turn up1819
to pull the pin1860
to send in one's papers1872
to step down1890
to snatch it or one's time1941
1698 N. Luttrell Diary in Brief Hist. Relation State Affairs (1857) IV. 414 This day Mr. Howard, wine cowper, was chose sherif of London, in room of Mr. Moor that swore off.
2. To get rid of or pass off on somebody with an oath or asseveration.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > hand over to another > get rid of by handing over
shift1634
to swear off1740
1740 H. Bracken Farriery Improv'd (ed. 2) II. i. 14 They..make nothing of turning any common Cart-Horse to the Road,..and swear him off to their best Friend for an excellent Hunter.
1853 H. B. Stowe Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin 91/2 Well, after all, I suppose, Mr. Legree, you wouldn't have any objections to swarin' off?
1922 ‘M. Twain’ in Harper's Mag. Mar. 457/1 I..swore off my taxes like the most conscienceless of the lot.
3. To abjure something, esp. intoxicating drink (cf. to swear off —— at Phrasal verbs 1). More recently, with object expressed. Chiefly U.S.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > renounce > something naturally attractive
forgoa1175
refusea1450
to swear off1839
the mind > language > statement > refusal > [verb (transitive)] > abandon, renounce, or refuse to acknowledge
shrivec1374
disavowc1400
reject1426
renouncec1450
disvow1502
disavouch1583
disclaim1585
to throw (also cast, fling, etc.) overboard1588
disacknowledge1598
forjure1601
disknow1606
disvoucha1616
to swear off1839
to throw down1895
to go into the discard1898
ditch1921
cancel1990
1839 Spirit of Times 16 Nov. 434/1 Like swearing off from liquor and going into a grog-shop.
1877 J. Habberton Jericho Road vi. 64 I'd told the fellers..that I was goin' to swear off, so I was ashamed to go there and drink.
1896 Spectator 15 Feb. 235 Just as a man who has ‘sworn off,’ for a long time, loses the desire for drink.
1960 R. St. John Foreign Correspondent v. 88 He became a newspaper reporter and swore off personal involvement in politics, at least for the time.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > agreement > promise > promise or vow [verb (transitive)]
swearc825
hightOE
behighta1000
behestc1175
bespeakc1320
queatha1325
vow1338
avowc1374
undertakec1385
forhighta1400
forsweara1400
hest14..
promitc1422
promise1430
protest1430
to swear outa1440
to swear to ——1598
pollicitate1657
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > contend in battle or give battle [verb (intransitive)] > offer challenge of single combat or duel
challengec1380
to swear outa1440
to cast (out) the gauntlet1548
to fling out (or down) the gauntlet1548
to throw (down) the gauntlet1548
to challenge a person the fielda1616
to step forward1813
society > armed hostility > armed encounter > contending in battle > fight (a battle, etc.) [verb (transitive)] > challenge to single combat or duel > utter challenge regarding (a matter)
to swear out1575
a1440 Sir Eglam. 1249 Harowdes of armes swore owt than, ‘Yf ther be ony gentylman, To make hys body gode.’
1575 G. Gascoigne Glasse of Gouernem. i. v. sig. Cii If any gentleman offer you the least parte of iniury, then Dicke must be sent for to sweare out the matter.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > relinquishing > relinquish or give up [verb (transitive)] > renounce
to claim quitc1314
to quit claimc1314
remisea1325
release1379
remit1379
renouncec1400
to put apart1455
discharge1466
to swear out1598
to quit claim to1664
remiss1701
cut1791
renunciate1848
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost ii. i. 104 I heare your grace hath sworne out Houskeeping. View more context for this quotation
3. To turn out or expel by an oath.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > statement > assertion or affirmation > [verb (transitive)] > swear an oath or take an oath > bring or get into specified condition or position by > turn out or expel
to swear outc1665
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > expel > specific people from a place, position, or possession > by an oath
to swear outc1665
c1665 L. Hutchinson Mem. Col. Hutchinson (1973) 222 The Collonell, thinking it a ridiculous thing to sweare out a man when they had no power to defend themselves against him.
4. To obtain the issue of (a warrant for arrest) by making a charge upon oath. U.S.
ΘΚΠ
society > law > administration of justice > process, writ, warrant, or order > [verb (transitive)] > obtain warrant for arrest
to swear out1898
1898 H. E. Hamblen Gen. Manager's Story xv. 236 The president [of the railroad]..swore out warrants for the arrest of all the members of the committee.
1912 Times 19 Oct. 5/6 The warrant was ‘sworn out’ by the girl's mother at Minneapolis.
Draft additions June 2021
to swear down.
transitive. colloquial (originally and chiefly English regional). Used with clause as object or parenthetically after a statement to emphasize its earnestness: to promise, assert, or declare (that something is the case). Also intransitive in elliptical use.Not in North American use.
ΚΠ
1994 F. Cooper Skyhook in Midnight Sun xlvi. 216 She swore down she never took money from her series of gentleman friends.
2001 C. Glazebrook Madolescents 161 If she doesn't stop bitching I'll deck her, swear down.
2013 N. B. Robert Black Sheep 217 I had nothing to do with this, I swear down!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1918; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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