Oaths

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Oath \Oath\ ([=o]th), n.; pl. {Oaths} ([=o][th]z). [OE. othe,
     oth, ath, AS. [=a][eth]; akin to D. eed, OS. [=e][eth], G.
     eid, Icel. ei[eth]r, Sw. ed, Dan. eed, Goth. ai[thorn]s; cf.
     OIr. oeth.]
     1. A solemn affirmation or declaration, made with a reverent
        appeal to God for the truth of what is affirmed. "I have


        an oath in heaven" --Shak.
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              An oath of secrecy for the concealing of those
              [inventions] which we think fit to keep secret.
                                                    --Bacon.
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     2. A solemn affirmation, connected with a sacred object, or
        one regarded as sacred, as the temple, the altar, the
        blood of Abel, the Bible, the Koran, etc.
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     3. (Law) An appeal (in verification of a statement made) to a
        superior sanction, in such a form as exposes the party
        making the appeal to an indictment for perjury if the
        statement be false.
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     4. A careless and blasphemous use of the name of the divine
        Being, or anything divine or sacred, by way of appeal or
        as a profane exclamation or ejaculation; an expression of
        profane swearing. "A terrible oath" --Shak.
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