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swear at

 - 2 dictionary results
swear   (swâr)   
v.   swore (swôr, swōr), sworn (swôrn, swōrn), swear·ing, swears

v.   intr.
  1. To make a solemn declaration, invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing, in confirmation of and witness to the honesty or truth of such a declaration.

  2. To make a solemn promise; vow.

  3. To use profane oaths; curse.

  4. Law To give evidence or testimony under oath.

v.   tr.
  1. To declare or affirm solemnly by invoking a deity or a sacred person or thing.

  2. To promise or pledge with a solemn oath; vow: He swore his oath of allegiance to the queen. See Synonyms at promise.

  3. To utter or bind oneself to (an oath).

  4. Law To administer a legal oath to: All the witnesses have been sworn.

  5. To say or affirm earnestly and with great conviction.

n.  A swearword.
Phrasal Verb(s):
swear atTo use abusive, violent, or blasphemous language against; curse.
swear by
  1. To have great reliance on or confidence in: He swears by his personal physician.

  2. To have reliable knowledge of; be sure of: I think she left early, but I couldn't swear by it.

  3. To take an oath by: He swore by all the angels and saints of heaven.

swear inTo administer a legal or official oath to: swear in a mayor.
swear off Informal To pledge to renounce or give up: She has sworn off cigarettes.
swear out Law To obtain (a warrant for arrest) by making a charge under oath.

[Middle English sweren, from Old English swerian; see swer- in Indo-European roots.]
swear'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Idioms & Phrases

swear at

Curse, use abusive, violent, or blasphemous language against, as in He has a way of swearing at all the other drivers on the road. [Late 1600s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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