noun
oath
An offensive expression used to convey strong emotion.
He mutters an oath as the heavy box hits his foot.
Etymology
An oath originally invoked a sacred authority to guarantee a statement. Irreverent use of such invocations developed into swearing, giving the word its sense of an offensive exclamation.
More examples
- An angry oath escapes her when the screen freezes.
- He bites back an oath in front of the children.
- A string of oaths comes from the stalled car.
Forms
oath · oaths