swearing
verbnounattested in dialogue
The act of swearing, or making an oath.
verb
- 1
Also a form of swearpresent participle and gerund of swear
Swearing doesn't just mean what we now understand by "dirty words". It is entwined, in social and linguistic history, with the other sort of swearing: vows and oaths. Consider for a moment the origins of almost any word we have for bad language – "profanity", "curses", "oaths" and "swearing" itself.
Etymology
From Middle English swerynge; equivalent to swear + -ing.
noun
- 1
The act of swearing, or making an oath.
No man is believed a jot the more for all the asseverations, damnings, and swearings he makes.
Forms
- plural
- swearings
sway · The act of swaying; a swaying motion; a swing or sweep of a…Sway · A village and civil parish in New Forest district, Hampshire,…swear · To take an oath, to promise intensely, solemnly, and/or with…
swearing · The act of swearing, or making an oath.
sweat · Fluid that exits the body through pores in the skin usually…Sweat · A surname.sweater · A knitted jacket or jersey, usually of thick wool, worn by…