sworn

Everyday

1. Sworn is the past participle of «swear»: «I have sworn to keep the secret». tree →
2. Sworn means made with a serious promise: a sworn statement or sworn evidence is given after promising to tell the truth. tree →
3. Sworn enemies or sworn friends are completely and permanently enemies or friends. tree →
4. Sworn can also come from «swear» meaning to use rude words: «He has sworn at the referee». tree →

In the lessons

In law, witnesses in court are «sworn in»: they promise to tell the truth, sometimes on the Bible or by another promise. In stories «sworn enemies» are bitter rivals and «sworn to secrecy» means promised not to tell. Phrases: «sworn to secrecy», «sworn enemies», «sworn in», «sworn statement».

Examples

• The knights had sworn to protect the queen. tree →
• I was sworn to secrecy about the surprise party. tree →
• Cats and dogs in cartoons are often sworn enemies. tree →
• The new president was sworn in. tree →
• The witness gave sworn evidence in court. tree →
• He has sworn never to eat sprouts again. tree →
• The player was sent off after he had sworn at the referee. tree →
• "He is the sworn foe of Dragons," said the Chancellor. tree →

Note

Forms: swear, swore (past), sworn (with have/had/be). Wrong: «I have swore». «Sworn in» means officially started a job by taking an oath. Swearing as using bad words is rude and breaks school rules.

In Jewish tradition

It means promised by a solemn oath, as when God "has sworn" to the ancestors to give Israel the land.

Interpretation. Tradition understands God's oaths to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as binding promises. The promised land is seen as a gift that follows from them.

Examples

• and said: 'By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, (Torah GEN.22.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy border, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which He promised to give unto thy fathers — (Torah DEU.19.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD will establish thee for a holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee; if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in His ways. (Torah DEU.28.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have sworn, and have confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous ordinances. (Writings PSA.119.106, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thy bow is made quite bare; sworn are the rods of the word. (Prophets HAB.3.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn unto David My servant: (Writings PSA.89.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Forms: swear, swore (past), sworn (with have/had/be). Wrong: «I have swore». «Sworn in» means officially started a job by taking an oath. Swearing as using bad words is rude and breaks school rules.