swear by
verb (used without object)
1.
to make a solemn declaration or affirmation by some sacred being or object, as a deity or the Bible.
2.
to bind oneself by oath.
3.
to give evidence or make a statement on oath.
4.
to use profane oaths or language: Don't swear in front of the children.
verb (used with object)
5.
to declare, affirm, attest, etc., by swearing by a deity, some sacred object, etc.
6.
to affirm, assert, or say with solemn earnestness.
7.
to promise or undertake on oath or in a solemn manner; vow.
8.
to testify or state on oath: He swore it on the witness stand.
9.
to take (an oath), as in order to give solemnity or force to a declaration, promise, etc.
00:10
Swear by
is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
| a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison. |
| a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc. |
11.
swear by,
a.
to name (a sacred being or thing) as one's witness or guarantee in swearing.
b.
Informal. to have great confidence in; rely on: He swears by his dentist.
c.
to have certain knowledge of: I thought I saw him leaving, but I couldn't swear by it.
12.
swear in, to admit to office or service by administering an oath: A new president will be sworn in today.
13.
swear off, to promise or resolve to give up something, especially intoxicating beverages.
14.
swear out, to secure (a warrant for arrest) by making an accusation under oath.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran to swear; see answer
before 900; Middle English sweren, Old English swerian; cognate with German schwören, Old Norse sverja; akin to Gothic swaran to swear; see answer
Related forms
swear·er, noun
swear·ing·ly, adverb
re·swear, verb, re·swore, re·sworn, re·swear·ing.
un·der·swear·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To swear by
Collins
World English Dictionary
swear (swɛə) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb (often foll by at) , swears, swearing, swore, sworn | |
| 1. | to declare or affirm (a statement) as true, esp by invoking a deity, etc, as witness |
| 2. | ( |
| a. to invoke (a deity, etc) by name as a witness or guarantee to an oath | |
| b. to trust implicitly; have complete confidence (in) | |
| 3. | to curse, blaspheme, or use swearwords |
| 4. | ( |
| 5. | (tr) to assert or affirm with great emphasis or earnestness |
| 6. | (intr) to give evidence or make any statement or solemn declaration on oath |
| 7. | to take an oath in order to add force or solemnity to (a statement or declaration) |
| 8. | informal swear blind to assert emphatically |
| —n | |
| 9. | a period of swearing |
| [Old English swerian; related to Old Norse sverja, Gothic swaran, Old Frisian swera, German schwören] | |
| 'swearer | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
swear
O.E. swerian "take an oath" (class VI strong verb; past tense swor, pp. sworen), from P.Gmc. *swarjanan, from root *swar- (cf. O.S. swerian, O.N. sverja, Dan. sverge, O.Fris. swera, M.Du. swaren, O.H.G. swerien, Ger. schwören, Goth. swaren "to swear"), from PIE base *swer- "to speak, say" (cf.
O.C.S. svara "quarrel"). Also related to the second element in answer. The secondary sense of "use bad language" (c.1430) developed from the notion of "invoke sacred names." Swear-word is Amer.Eng. colloquial from 1883. Swear off "desist as with a vow" is from 1898.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases
swear by
-
Have great reliance on or confidence in, as in She swears by her personal physician. [Early 1800s]
-
Also, swear to. Have reliable knowledge of, be sure of, as in I think she was going to the library but I can't swear to it. [Mid-1700s]
-
Take an oath by, as in I swear by all the saints in heaven. [Early 1200s]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
