Added 8 October 2026
oath
/ˈəʊθ/ noun
In Latin: iūrāmentum, sacramentum, fides Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about oath at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A solemn pledge or promise that invokes a deity, a ruler, or another entity (not necessarily present) to attest the truth of a statement or sincerity of one's desire to fulfill a contract or promise.
take an oath
-
A statement or promise which is strengthened (affirmed) by such a pledge.
After taking the oath of office, she became the country's forty-third premier.
-
A light, irreverent or insulting appeal to a deity or other entity.
(Can we add an example for this sense?)
verb
- To pledge.
Origin
From Middle English ooth, oth, ath, from Old English āþ (“oath”), from Proto-West Germanic *aiþ (“oath”), from Proto-Germanic *aiþaz (“oath”). Cognate with Scots aith, athe (“oath”), North Frisian ith, iss (“oath”), Saterland Frisian Eed (“oath”), West Frisian eed (“oath”), Dutch eed (“oath”), German Eid (“oath”), Swedish ed (“oath”), Icelandic eið (“oath”), Latin ūtor (“make use of, employ, avail”, verb), Old Irish óeth (“oath”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)