2  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Swear  \Swear\,  v.  i.  [imp.  {Swore},  formerly  {Sware};  p.  p. 
  {Sworn};  p.  pr  &  vb  n.  {Swearing}.]  [OE.  swerien  AS 
  swerian  akin  to  D.  zweren  OS  swerian  OHG.  swerien  G. 
  schw["o]ren,  Icel.  sverja  Sw  sv["a]rja,  Dan.  sv[ae]rge, 
  Icel.  &  Sw  svara  to  answer,  Dan.  svare,  Dan.  &  Sw  svar  an 
  answer,  Goth.  swaran  to  swear,  and  perhaps  to  E.  swarm. 
  [root]177.  Cf  {Answer}.] 
  1.  To  affirm  or  utter  a  solemn  declaration,  with  an  appeal  to 
  God  for  the  truth  of  what  is  affirmed;  to  make  a  promise, 
  threat,  or  resolve  on  oath;  also  to  affirm  solemnly  by 
  some  sacred  object,  or  one  regarded  as  sacred,  as  the 
  Bible,  the  Koran,  etc 
 
  Ye  shall  swear  by  my  name  falsely.  --Lev.  xix. 
  12. 
 
  I  swear  by  all  the  Roman  gods.  --Shak. 
 
  2.  (Law)  To  give  evidence  on  oath;  as  to  swear  to  the  truth 
  of  a  statement;  he  swore  against  the  prisoner. 
 
  3.  To  make  an  appeal  to  God  in  an  irreverant  manner;  to  use 
  the  name  of  God  or  sacred  things  profanely;  to  call  upon 
  God  in  imprecation;  to  curse. 
 
  [I]  swore  little;  diced  not  above  seven  times  a 
  week.  --Shak. 
 
  {To  swear  by},  to  place  great  confidence  in  a  person  or 
  thing  to  trust  implicitly  as  an  authority.  ``I  simply 
  meant  to  ask  if  you  are  one  of  those  who  swear  by  Lord 
  Verulam.''  --Miss  Edgeworth. 
 
  {To  swear  off},  to  make  a  solemn  vow,  or  a  serious 
  resolution,  to  abstain  from  something  as  to  swear  off 
  smoking.  [Slang] 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Swore  \Swore\, 
  imp.  of  {Swear}. 

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