verb
swear
Make or administer a solemn promise or declaration.
The witness swears to tell the truth.
Etymology
The older verb already concerned solemn oath-taking. This sense preserves the commitment made by formally invoking an obligation or witness.
More examples
- She swore that she had never seen the missing file.
- The judge swears in the new jurors.
- He has sworn to protect his younger brother.
Forms
swear · swears · swore · sworn · swearing