Oath of Office
/ˌoʊθ əv ˈɑː.fɪs/noun
A formal promise made by a person entering a public position to fulfill its duties faithfully.
Did you know?The word “office” descends from Latin officium, meaning duty or service, literally combining opus, “work,” with facere, “to do.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aiþą
“A solemn oath or formal pledge”
Old English
OE
āþ
“An oath, especially a sworn declaration or promise”
Classical Latin
Latin
officium
“Duty, service, obligation, or proper conduct”
Late Latin
Latin
officium
“A function, duty, or official service”
Middle English
Anglo-Norman / English
office
“A position of duty, service, or authority”
Modern English
English
oath of office
“A formal sworn promise attached to holding a public position”