forswear
UK[fɔːˈsweə(r)]US[fɔːrˈswer]
v
To make a serious and formal promise to give something up or stop doing something.
v
To give up or renounce something under oath.
v
To swear falsely; to commit perjury.
Morpheme Breakdown
for
swear
for
away, off, against
swear
to take an oath
Etymology
The word 'forswear' originates from the Old English compound forswerian, formed by combining the intensive or prohibitive prefix for- with the verb swerian, meaning "to swear." The prefix for- in this context carries a sense of "away from" or "against," thus the literal construction means "to swear away" or "to renounce on oath." Historically, it described the solemn act of renouncing or abjuring something under a binding vow. Over time, its meaning also expanded to include the negative consequence of such an act—swearing falsely or committing perjury—highlighting the dual logic of swearing to abstain and the potential for violating that very oath.
Analysis
Structure: for (away, off, against) + swear (to take an oath)
- for: A prefix from Old English, of Germanic origin, meaning "away," "off," or "against." It often implies prohibition, abstention, or negation.
- swear: A verb from Old English swerian, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch zweren and German schwören, meaning "to take an oath, promise solemnly."
Examples
He had to forswear all alcoholic beverages for health reasons.
The witness was accused of forsweating himself during the trial.
In a moment of desperation, she vowed to forswear her family's wealth.