oath Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
    swearing; swearword; expletive; cuss; curse; curse word.
    • expletives were deleted
  2. noun a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
    swearing.
  3. noun a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior
    • they took an oath of allegiance

WordNet

Oath noun
Etymology
OE. othe, oth, ath, AS. a; akin to D. eed, OS. e, G. eid, Icel. eir, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. ais; cf. OIr. oeth.
Wordforms
plural Oaths
Definitions
  1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have an oath in heaven" Shak.
    An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret. Bacon.
  2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.
  3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the statement be false.
  4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of profane swearing. "A terrible oath" Shak.

Webster 1913