English Explanatory Dictionary

oath

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
  2. A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
  3. A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
  4. A curse, a curse word.
verb
  1. To pledge.

Pronunciation

/ˈəʊθ/ /ˈoʊθ/ en-us-oath.ogg

Word forms

oath oaths oathing oathed

Etymology

From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath”). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).

Synonyms

pledge vow avowal

Related words

affirmation solemn affirmation bloody oath fucking oath statutory declaration

Derived words

abjuration oath bodily oath book oath corporal oath counteroath Hippocratic oath ken oath minced oath my bloody oath oathable oathbound oathbreach oathbreaker oathbreaking oath-brother oathful oath-helper oath-helping oathless oathlet oathlike oathmaker oath of allegiance oath of calumny oath of office oath-ring oathtaker oathtaking oathworthy on oath ring-oath take oath under oath weapon oath
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