SWEAR
What does "SWEAR" mean?
To make a solemn promise or oath; or, to use offensive or profane language.
Meanings
- To make a solemn declaration or promise, often invoking something sacred as witness. She swore to tell the whole truth in court.
- To use offensive, profane, or obscene language; to curse. He stubbed his toe and began to swear loudly.
- To declare or affirm something with great conviction. I could have sworn I left my keys on the table. informal
Did you know?
- Swearing an oath and swearing in anger are the same word for a reason: both began by invoking something sacred - one to bind a promise, the other to break a taboo - which is why a curse and a vow share a verb.
Word origin
From Old English 'swerian', to take an oath or speak solemnly, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to speak or answer; the 'profanity' sense developed because curses originally invoked sacred names.
Remember it
SWEAR holds 'wear' - you wear your word like a binding, whether it's a vow or a curse.
A little poem
One mouth that lifts a hand and names the true,
the same that, stubbing toes, turns sky-name blue.
couplet
Wordplay
- Why is a witness like an angry sailor? Both swear - one by the truth, one at it.
What it teaches
The mouth that can bind a promise can also break the peace; both powers live on one tongue.
Quick facts
What does SWEAR mean?
To make a solemn promise or oath; or, to use offensive or profane language.
Is SWEAR a valid word?
Yes — SWEAR is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is SWEAR?
SWEAR has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does SWEAR come from?
From Old English 'swerian', to take an oath or speak solemnly, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning to speak or answer; the 'profanity' sense developed because curses originally invoked sacred names.
What can SWEAR teach us?
The mouth that can bind a promise can also break the peace; both powers live on one tongue.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.