Oath
/oʊθ/noun
A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior.
Did you know?In ancient cultures, oaths were seen as binding contracts with the gods, making them a form of magical invocation to ensure truthfulness.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁eu̯-
“to swear, to vow, to invoke a divine witness.”
Old English
Old English
āð
“a solemn promise or vow, often invoking the name of God.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
eiðr
“an oath or vow, often associated with binding agreements.”
Middle English
Middle English
ooth
“a solemn promise or declaration, often with a religious connotation.”
Modern English
English
oath
“a formal declaration of truth or commitment, especially in legal or religious contexts.”
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