oath

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A serious, formal promise to do something or to tell the truth.

   The new president took an oath to serve the country.

2. 2
   noun

   A formal promise in a court of law to tell the truth.

   The witness gave her evidence under oath.

3. 3
   noun

   A rude or offensive word said in anger or surprise.

   He muttered an oath when he hit his thumb with the hammer.

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”).

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