Oathbound
/ˈoʊθˌbaʊnd/noun
Bound or obligated by an oath or promise.
Did you know?The first element, oath, comes from a Germanic word tied to solemn swearing, while bound comes from the idea of being tied fast — together, the word feels like a verbal spell of obligation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeuH-
“to be, become, exist”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*aiþaz
“oath, solemn pledge”
Old English
English
āþ
“oath, vow, solemn pledge”
Old English
English
bindan
“to bind, fasten, tie”
Middle English
English
oathbound
“bound by an oath”