swear (redirected from swearing off)

swear v. 1) to declare under oath that one will tell the truth (sometimes "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"). Failure to tell the truth, and do so knowingly, is the crime of perjury. 2) to administer an oath to a witness that he/she will tell the truth, which is done by a notary public, a court clerk, a court reporter, or anyone authorized by law to administer oaths. 3) to install into office by administering an oath. 4) to use profanity. (See: oath, perjury, notary public)

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swear verb adjure, affirm, allege under oath, assert as true, assure, authenticate, aver, avow, bear witness, bind oneself by oath, certify, confirm, declare, declare solemnly, declare true, give a promise, give evidence, give one's word, guarantee, iurare, iureiurando adfirmare, maintain under oath, promise, put one's trust in, state, state under oath, utter an oath, vouch, vow
Associated concepts: false swearing, public swearing
Foreign phrases: In judicio non creditur nisi juratis.In a court of justice no one is given credence who is not sworn.

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See also: acknowledge, adduce, assure, attest, avouch, avow, bear, certify, declare, depose, evidence, plead, promise, testify, vow, witness

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TO SWEAR. To take an oath, judicially administered. Vide Affirmation; Oath.
     2. To swear also signifies to use such profane language as is forbidden by law. This is generally punished by statutory provisions in the several states.