n.
Pronunciation: ' swer
Function: verb
Inflected Form: swore \ ' swo ̇ r \ ; sworn \ ' swo ̇ rn \ ; swear · ing
Etymology: Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; akin to Old High German swerien to swear and perhaps to Old Church Slavic svar ŭ quarrel
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to utter or take solemnly (an oath)
2 a : to assert as true or promise under oath <a sworn affidavit> < swore to uphold the Constitution> b : to assert or promise emphatically or earnestly < swore he'd study harder next time>
3 a : to put to an oath : administer an oath to b : to bind by an oath < swore them to secrecy>
4 obsolete : to invoke the name of (a sacred being) in an oath
5 : to bring into a specified state by swearing < swore his life away>
intransitive verb
1 : to take an oath
2 : to use profane or obscene language : CURSE
– swear · er noun
– swear by : to place great confidence in < swears by his mechanic>
– swear for : to give assurance for : GUARANTEE
– swear off : to vow to abstain from : RENOUNCE < swear off smoking>