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.
a statement or promise strengthened by such an appeal.
a formally affirmed statement or promise accepted as an equivalent of an appeal to a deity or to a revered person or thing; affirmation.
the form of words in which such a statement or promise is made.
an irreverent or blasphemous use of the name of God or anything sacred.
any profane expression; curse; swearword: He slammed the door with a muttered oath.
Idioms for oath
take an oath, to swear solemnly; vow.
Origin of oath
before 900; Middle English ooth,Old English āth; cognate with German Eid
When our elected representatives assume their respective offices, they take an oath to “protect and defend the Constitution.”
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This Oath Keeper was there for the protest, which had yet to materialize, and had a few friends joining him, he told me.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But given their anti-government rhetoric, the Oath Keepers' presence could inflame tensions further.
The Oath Keepers Patrol Rooftops in Ferguson—The Facts Behind This ‘Mysterious’ Militia Group|John Avlon|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The oath, according to the King James Bible, requires one to “do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
The Supreme Court Is Weighing Corporate Power Yet Again|Zephyr Teachout|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The government cannot compel a nonbeliever to take an oath that affirms the existence of a supreme being,” Miller added.
U.S. Air Force: Swear to God—or Get Out|Dave Majumdar|September 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Send to Harold mildly, and gently remind him of oath and of relics—of treaty and pledge.
Harold, Complete|Edward Bulwer-Lytton
The noise must have disturbed Le Forgeron, for Nangotook heard him mumble an oath.
The Island of Yellow Sands|E. C. [Ethel Claire] Brill
They were in earnest, and I saw nothing unreasonable in the oath they imposed on me.
The Pirate of the Mediterranean|W.H.G. Kingston
A Hessian muttered something in German, and Grant dropped the point of his sword with an oath.
My Lady of Doubt|Randall Parrish
I repeated the oath I had taken over and over again, and I did not find that it in any way prevented me from liberating the prize.
Peter the Whaler|W.H.G. Kingston
British Dictionary definitions for oath
oath
/ (əʊθ) /
nounpluraloaths (əʊðz)
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 witnessRelated adjective: juratory
the form of such a pronouncement
an irreverent or blasphemous expression, esp one involving the name of a deity; curse
on oath, upon oathorunder oath
under the obligation of an oath
lawhaving sworn to tell the truth, usually with one's hand on the Bible
take an oathto declare formally with an oath or pledge, esp before giving evidence
Word Origin for oath
Old English āth; related to Old Saxon, Old Frisian ēth, Old High German eid
What Is In The Oath Of Office?Like clockwork, we hear the presidential oath of office every four years. Thirty-five words that basically give the incoming Chief Executive the keys to the proverbial car. What are some other ins and outs of this momentous occasion? Let's take a look.
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Words related to oath
affidavit, deposition, vow, pledge, testimony, word, profession, contract, affirmation, avowal, bond, adjuration, cuss, swearword, blasphemy, profanity, expletive, imprecation, malediction, word of honor