[f. SWEAR v. + -ING1.] The action of the verb SWEAR.
1. The action of taking an oath. False swearing, perjury. Hard swearing: see HARD a. 18 b.
c. 1200. Vices & Virtues, 9. Of oðe(s) sueriingge.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2724. By þis tale, ȝe mowe se alle Þat fals sweryng wyl euyl befalle.
c. 1425. J. Hill, in Illustr. Anc. State & Chivalry (Roxb.), 9. Whanne he is called to his first ooth, thanne sitteth it to alle his forsaide Counsaille to goo with hym … for to here … how he swereth, and what countenaunce he maketh in his sweryng.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 94. Swerynge whan it is with deliberacyon for ony thynge yt is false or vayne, it perteyneth to periury.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, II. (1577), M iij. I beleeue withoute swearing that you haue no faith also in Christe.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., V. i. 277. And all those sayings, will I ouer sweare, And all those swearings keepe as true in soule.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., ii. § 20. 32. Swearing is a speech joyned to a promise, whereby the promiser declares his renouncing of Gods mercy, unlesse he perform his word.
a. 1704. T. Brown, Dial. Dead, Reas. Oaths, Wks. 1711, IV. 81. The Doctor considered the taking of the Oaths to be only an indifferent thing … for otherwise it had been his Duty to dissuade all Persons … from Swearing.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., II. I. viii. The February swearing has set them all agog.
1887. [see HARD a. 18 b].
2. The uttering of a profane oath; the use of profane language.
1340. Ayenb., 63. Hi ne conne noþing zygge wyþ-oute zueriynge.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 120. Ydel swerynge of herte & bonys of crist.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, ix. 106. I knaw me vicious, Lord,… In aithis sweiring, leising, and blaspheming.
1542. Boorde, Dyetary, vii. (1870), 243. In all the worlde there is not suche odyble swearyng as is vsed in Englande.
1623–4. Act 21 James I., c. 20. For as much as all prophane Swearing and Cursing is forbidden by the Word of God, Be it therefore enacted … That no person or persons shall from henceforth prophanely sweare or curse.
1657. in Trans. Cumbld. & Westmoreld. Antiq. Soc. (N. S.), XIV. 189. Convict … for the swearinge of 5 profane oaths upon the same day (viz.) 3 of them by god, one by his troth and one by his soule.
1663. Dryden, Wild Gallant, I. ii. He has been a great fanatic formerly, and now has got a habit of swearing, that he may be thought a cavalier.
1764. Gray, Jemmy Twitcher, 16. All the town rings of his swearing and roaring.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., s.v., Habitual swearing was usually typical of a bad officer.
3. The action of administering an oath, spec. of admitting a person into office with an oath. Also swearing-in: see SWEAR v. 20.
a. 1400. Old Usages Winchester, in Eng. Gilds (1870), 362. So þt, byfore answere, ne legge non oþer delay, but ȝif hit be for swerynge of mo parteneres of play of londe by ryȝt.
1712. Prideaux, Direct. Ch.-wardens (ed. 4), 47. There is a Writ at Common-Law issuable out of the King’s-Bench to command the Swearing of him.
1863. H. Cox, Instit., I. vi. 42. As there is no election of a Speaker, and no general swearing of members.
1900. Westm. Gaz., 4 Jan., 7/3. The swearing-in of the Volunteers at the Guildhall.
4. attrib.
1569. J. Sanford, trans. Agrippa’s Van. Artes, liv. 72 b. Who is that whiche seethe a man goo with a cocke pase, with a swearinge gesture, with a fierce countenaunce,… with an vnpleasaunt speache, with wild manners,… that doth not iudge him to be a Germane?
1705. trans. Bosman’s Guinea, 149. Every Person entring into any Obligation is obliged to drink this Swearing Liquor.
a. 1708. T. Ward, Eng. Ref., IV. (1710), 102. Cowper, who kept the Swearing Office, Instructed wisely ev’ry Novice, In what concern’d the Swearing Art.
1721. Amherst, Terræ Filius, No. 41 (1754), 218. [I] swore, engag’d my soul, And paid the swearing-broker whole Ten shilling.
