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Forswore: meaning, definitions and examples

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forswore

 

[ fɔːrˈswɔːr ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

past tense

Forswore is the simple past tense of the verb forswear, which means to reject or renounce something under oath. It often implies a solemn commitment to not engage in a particular behavior or to disavow a previous belief. The term is frequently used in legal or formal contexts where an individual vows to abandon or abstain from certain actions or affiliations.

Synonyms

abjured, rejected, renounced

Examples of usage

  • He forswore his allegiance to the crown.
  • She forswore her right to claim the inheritance.
  • They forswore to ever speak again after the argument.

Translations

Translations of the word "forswore" in other languages:

🇵🇹 renunciou

🇮🇳 त्याग दिया

🇩🇪 verzichtete

🇮🇩 menolak

🇺🇦 відмовився

🇵🇱 zrzucił

🇯🇵 放棄した

🇫🇷 renonça

🇪🇸 renunció

🇹🇷 vazgeçti

🇰🇷 포기했다

🇸🇦 تنازل عن

🇨🇿 vzdálil se

🇸🇰 vzdal sa

🇨🇳 放弃了

🇸🇮 odrekel se

🇮🇸 afneita

🇰🇿 бас тартты

🇬🇪 უარყოფა

🇦🇿 vaz keçdi

🇲🇽 renunció

Word origin

The word 'forswore' is derived from the Old English 'forswerian', where 'for-' means 'away' and 'swerian' means 'to swear'. This linguistic origin emphasizes the act of swearing away or renouncing something. The use of the prefix 'for-' suggests a negation or reversal, enhancing the meaning of the act of swearing to indicate a rejection. Its earliest forms can be traced back to Middle English as 'forswere', which maintained the original connotation of renunciating or disavowing an oath. Over centuries, the word evolved in usage and spelling, but its core meaning has remained stable, often being used in a variety of legal or religious contexts. The historical significance highlights the importance of oaths in culture, where to forswear is to break a solemn promise, thus establishing its critical role in moral and ethical discourse.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,249, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.