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. schwören, Icel. sverja, Sw. svärja, Dan. svaerge, Icel. & Sw. svara to answer, Dan. svare, Dan. & Sw. svar an answer, Goth. swaran to swear, and perhaps to E. swarm. √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. [ 1913 Webster ]
Ye shall swear by my name falsely. Lev. xix. 12. [ 1913 Webster ]
I swear by all the Roman gods. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. (Law) To give evidence on oath; as, to swear to the truth of a statement; he swore against the prisoner. [ 1913 Webster ]
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. [ 1913 Webster ]
[ I ] swore little; diced not above seven times a week. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
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 ] [ 1913 Webster ]