[-ING2.] That swears.
1. That takes or has taken an oath, esp. an oath of allegiance.
1727. P. Walker, Vind. Cameron’s Name, in Biog. Presbyt. (1827), I. 248. We have the Parallel Case in Scotland this Day, putting the Swearing Ministers in Place of the Actually-indulged.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. I. vi. Saw the Sun ever such a swearing people?
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., xiv. III. 447. The swearing clergy, as they were called, were not a little perplexed by this reasoning.
2. That utters a profane oath; given to profane language.
1862. Borrow, Wild Wales, lxviii. Night came quickly upon me after I had passed the swearing lad.
1887. F. Francis, Jr. Saddle & Mocassin, 5. I guess they [sc. the Mormons] smokes more, and stands for the swearingest people as there is anywhere.
Hence Swearingly adv.
a. 1617. Hieron, Wks. (1620), II. 340. Now it curseth man, talkes viciously, speaks swearingly; suddenly it is framing some words of holinesse and deuotion.
