swear

(swâr)

v. swore (swôr), sworn (swôrn), swear·ing, swears

v.intr.

1. To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.

2. To make a solemn promise; vow.

3. To use obscene or blasphemous language; curse.

4. Law To commit oneself by oath to giving evidence or testimony that is truthful.

v.tr.

a. To declare or affirm solemnly by invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing: swore on the Bible that he would tell the truth.

b. To say or affirm earnestly and with great conviction: I swear that I will pay you back.

2. To promise or pledge with a solemn oath; vow: He swore to do his duty. See Synonyms at promise.

3. To utter or bind oneself to (an oath).

4. Law To administer a legal oath to: All the witnesses have been sworn.

A swearword.

Phrasal Verbs:

swear at

To use vulgar language against; curse:

swear by

1. To have great reliance on or confidence in: He swears by his personal physician.

2. To have reliable knowledge of; be sure of: I think she left early, but I couldn't swear by it.

3. To take an oath by: He swore by all the angels and saints of heaven.

swear in

To administer a legal or official oath to: swear in a mayor.

swear off Informal

To pledge to renounce or give up: She has sworn off cigarettes.

swear out Law

1. To attest to (an affidavit or complaint) by oath.

2. To swear to evidence under oath in order to obtain (a warrant for arrest).

[Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; see swer- in Indo-European roots.]

swear′er n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

يَثِقُ ثِقَةً كَبيرَةًيُقْسِمُ بِ

přísahat napřísahat při

sværge

jurer par

esküszik

hafa tröllatrú ásverja viî

sverge til sverge ved

prisahať na

güvenmekyemin etmek

对...发誓极其信赖

w>swear by

vi +prep obj (inf) → schwören auf (+acc)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

swear

(sweə) – past tense swore (swoː) : past participle sworn (swoːn) – verb

1. to state, declare, or promise solemnly with an oath, or very definitely and positively. The witness must swear to tell the truth; He swore an oath of loyalty; Swear never to reveal the secret; I could have sworn (= I'm sure) she was here a minute ago.

2. to use the name of God and other sacred words, or obscene words, for emphasis or abuse; to curse. Don't swear in front of the children!

sworn (swoːn) adjective

1. (of friends, enemies etc) (determined, as if) having taken an oath always to remain so. They are sworn enemies.

2. (of evidence, statements etc) given by a person who has sworn to tell the truth. The prisoner made a sworn statement.

ˈswear-word noun

a word used in cursing. `Damn' is a mild swear-word.

swear by

1. to appeal to (eg God) as a witness of one's words. I swear by Heaven that I'm innocent.

2. to put complete trust in (a remedy etc). She swears by aspirin for all the children's illnesses.

swear in

to introduce (a person) into a post or office formally, by making him swear an oath. The new Governor is being sworn in next week.

swear to

to make a solemn statement, with an oath, in support of. I'll swear to the truth of what he said; I think he was here this morning, but I wouldn't like to swear to it.