forswears
|for-swears|
🇺🇸
/fɔrˈswɛr/
🇬🇧
/fɔːˈswɛə/
(forswear)
renounce under oath
Etymology
'forswear' originates from Old English, specifically the element 'for-' combined with the verb 'swerian' (or 'forswerian'), where 'for-' meant 'away, completely' and 'swerian' meant 'to swear.'
'forswear' changed from Old English 'forswerian' (combining 'for-' + 'swerian') and through Middle English forms became the modern English word 'forswear.'
Initially it meant 'to break an oath or to perjure oneself,' but over time it also came to mean 'to renounce or give up (something), often solemnly or by oath.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Verb 1
third person singular present tense of 'forswear'.
He forswears any involvement in the affair.
Synonyms
Verb 2
to renounce or give up (a belief, habit, claim, etc.), especially solemnly or under oath.
She forswears meat for religious reasons.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/15 23:49