# oath

Pronunciation: say "OHTH" US /ˈoʊθ/, UK /ˈəʊθ/

## Noun

1. A solemn pledge that calls on a god, a ruler, or some other power, present or not, to witness that a statement is true or a promise sincere.
   - Simple: A serious promise that calls on a god or another power to show you mean what you say.
   - _Witnesses must take an oath before they give evidence in court._
   - _With one hand on the Bible, he swore an oath that he had told the truth._
2. A statement or promise strengthened by a solemn pledge, such as the words sworn by an official taking office.
   - Simple: A promise or statement made stronger by a serious, formal pledge.
   - _The new mayor repeated the oath of office with her hand on a Bible._
   - _Soldiers recite an oath of allegiance pledging to defend the constitution._
3. A curse, or an offensive word used in cursing.
   - Simple: A rude or angry swear word.
   - _The driver let loose a stream of oaths when the truck cut him off._
   - _With a muttered oath, he dropped the hot pan into the sink._
4. A light, irreverent, or insulting appeal to a god or some other power.
   - Simple: Calling on a god or other power in a careless or rude way.
   - _"By heaven, you'll pay for that!" he roared, and the oath echoed down the hall._
   - _Grandfather's favorite oath was a cheerful "Great Caesar's ghost!"_

## Other meanings

- (verb) To pledge.

## Origin

From Middle English ooth or oth, from Old English āþ, “oath,” from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz and ultimately Proto-Indo-European *h₁óytos. Related words include German Eid, Dutch eed and Old Irish óeth, all meaning “oath.”

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/oath (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).