(~s)
1.
An ~ is a formal promise, especially a promise to be loyal to a person or country.
He took an ~ of loyalty to the government...
= pledge
N-COUNT: oft N of n
see also Hippocratic ~
2.
In a court of law, when someone takes the ~, they make a formal promise to tell the truth. You can say that someone is on ~ or under ~ when they have made this promise.
His girlfriend had gone into the witness box and taken the ~...
Under ~, Aston finally admitted that he had lied...
Three officers gave evidence on ~ against him.
N-SING: the N, also on/under N
3.
An ~ is an offensive or emphatic word or expression which you use when you are angry or shocked. (WRITTEN)
Wellor let out a foul ~ and hurled himself upon him.
= curse
N-COUNT