v.
Variant: also fore · swear
Pronunciation: fo ̇ r- ' swer
Function: verb
Inflected Form: -swore \ - ' swo ̇ r \ ; -sworn \ - ' swo ̇ rn \ ; -swear · ing
Etymology: Middle English forsweren, from Old English forswerian, from for- + swerian to swear
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to make a liar of (oneself) under or as if under oath
2 a : to reject or renounce under oath b : to renounce earnestly
3 : to deny under oath
intransitive verb : to swear falsely
synonyms see ABJURE