Definition of OATH

oath

Plural: oaths

Noun

  • A solemn promise, often made under religious invocation.
  • profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
  • a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
  • a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior
    • "they took an oath of allegiance"
  • A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
  • A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
  • A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
  • A curse, a curse word.

Verb

  • To pledge.

Examples

  • After taking the oath of office, she became the country's forty-third premier.
  • break one's oath
  • He swore an OATH to only play valid words, no matter how tempting a fake might be.
  • swear an oath
  • take an oath
  • The generals swore an oath of loyalty to the country.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁óytos (“oath”). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).

Synonyms

curse, curse word, cuss, expletive, swearing, swearword, avowal, pledge, vow

Scrabble Score: 7

oath: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
oath: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
oath: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 6

oath: valid Words With Friends Word