oath
/ouθ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A solemn promise, often calling upon a divine witness: A formal and serious declaration that one will speak the truth or fulfill a commitment, frequently invoking God or a sacred entity as a witness.
- A commitment to tell the truth, especially in a legal context: A formal pledge taken before giving testimony in court; violating this pledge (e.g., lying under oath) can lead to legal penalties like perjury.
- A profane or obscene expression of surprise or anger: A swear word or curse used as an exclamation.
Examples of Usage
- As a solemn promise:
- The president took the oath of office.
- New citizens swear an oath of allegiance to their adopted country.
- As a legal truth commitment:
- The witness was placed under oath before testifying.
- She could be charged with perjury for lying under oath.
- As a profane expression:
- He muttered an oath of frustration when he dropped the hammer on his foot.
Advanced Usage
- "on/under oath": Having made a formal promise to tell the truth, especially in a court.
- Remember, you are under oath and must answer truthfully.
- "to take/swear an oath": To make a formal, solemn promise.
- The knights swore an oath to protect the king.
- "oath of secrecy/silence": A solemn promise not to reveal information.
- All members must take an oath of secrecy.
Variants and Related Words
- Oath-taking (n): The act or ceremony of swearing an oath.
- Oath-bound (adj): Bound or obligated by an oath.
- Oath-breaker (n): A person who violates an oath.
Synonyms
- Vow: A solemn promise, often of a personal or religious nature.
- Pledge: A formal promise or commitment.
- Swearword: A profane or obscene word (for the exclamation meaning).
Related Phrases
- "My oath!": An exclamation used for emphasis or to express surprise (chiefly Australian/British informal usage).
- My oath! That's the best pie I've ever had!
- "Blood oath": A particularly serious oath, sometimes sealed with blood.
- They made a blood oath to always defend each other.
Idioms
- "To be on one's oath": To be bound by a solemn promise.
- As a doctor, you are on your oath to help the sick.
- "Oath of office": The official oath taken when assuming a public office.
- The Chief Justice will administer the presidential oath of office.
Noun
- a solemn promise, usually invoking a divine witness, regarding your future acts or behavior
- they took an oath of allegiance
- a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
- profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger
- expletives were deleted