Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ooth, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth. The spec. sense in Germanic and Celtic may perhaps have arisen from the walk of the oath-taker to the place of oath-taking being seen as part of the solemn [[ceremony]]

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ooth, from [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._600-1100.09THE_OLD_ENGLISH.2C_OR_ANGLO-SAXON_PERIOD Old English] āth; akin to Old High German eid oath, Middle Irish oeth. The spec. sense in Germanic and Celtic may perhaps have arisen from the walk of the oath-taker to the place of oath-taking being seen as part of the solemn [[ceremony]]

*Date: before [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century]

*Date: before [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/11th_Century 12th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a (1) : a solemn usually [[formal]] calling upon [[God]] or a god to [[witness]] to the [[truth]] of what one says or to witness that one [[sincerely]] [[intends]] to do what one says (2) : a solemn attestation of the [[truth]] or inviolability of one's [[words]]  

*1 a (1) : a solemn usually [[formal]] calling upon [[God]] or a god to [[witness]] to the [[truth]] of what one says or to witness that one [[sincerely]] [[intends]] to do what one says (2) : a solemn attestation of the [[truth]] or inviolability of one's [[words]]  

:b : something (as a [[promise]]) corroborated by an oath

:b : something (as a [[promise]]) corroborated by an oath

==Description==

==Description==

An '''oath''' (from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English Anglo-Saxon] āð, also called plight) is either a [[statement]] of [[fact]] or a [[promise]] calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers [[sacred]], usually God, as a witness to the binding [[nature]] of the promise or the [[truth]] of the [[statement]] of [[fact]]. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow.

An '''oath''' (from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_English Anglo-Saxon] āð, also called plight) is either a [[statement]] of [[fact]] or a [[promise]] calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers [[sacred]], usually God, as a witness to the binding [[nature]] of the promise or the [[truth]] of the [[statement]] of [[fact]]. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow.

The [[essence]] of a [[divine]] oath is an invocation of [[divine]] [[agency]] to be a guarantor of the oath taker's own [[honesty]] and [[integrity]] in the matter under question. By implication, this invokes divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their sworn [[duties]]. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the [[act]] of the [[performance]] of one's duty, such as in [[testimony]] to the [[facts]] of the [[matter]] in a [[court]] of [[law]].

The [[essence]] of a [[divine]] oath is an invocation of [[divine]] [[agency]] to be a guarantor of the oath taker's own [[honesty]] and [[integrity]] in the matter under question. By implication, this invokes divine displeasure if the oath taker fails in their sworn [[duties]]. It therefore implies greater care than usual in the [[act]] of the [[performance]] of one's duty, such as in [[testimony]] to the [[facts]] of the [[matter]] in a [[court]] of [[law]].

A [[person]] taking an oath indicates this in a [[number]] of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any [[statement]] or [[promise]] that includes "with * as my witness" or "so help me *," with '*' being something or someone the oath-taker holds [[sacred]], is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a [[book]] of [[scripture]] or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred [[witness]] through their [[action]]: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief [[purpose]] of such an [[act]] is for [[ceremony]] or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.

A [[person]] taking an oath indicates this in a [[number]] of ways. The most usual is the explicit "I swear," but any [[statement]] or [[promise]] that includes "with * as my witness" or "so help me *," with '*' being something or someone the oath-taker holds [[sacred]], is an oath. Many people take an oath by holding in their hand or placing over their head a [[book]] of [[scripture]] or a sacred object, thus indicating the sacred [[witness]] through their [[action]]: such an oath is called corporal. However, the chief [[purpose]] of such an [[act]] is for [[ceremony]] or solemnity, and the act does not of itself make an oath.

In Western countries it is [[custom]]ary to raise the '''right hand''' while swearing an oath, whether or not the left hand is laid on a [[Bible]] or other [[text]]. This custom [[originated]] during the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Medieval period] when [[convicted]] felons were often branded on the palm of the right hand with a [[letter]] or mark indicating their conviction. Since felons were disqualified from making declarations under oath, an oath-taker would display their right hand to show that they were free of [[convictions]] and therefore able take an oath.

In Western countries it is [[custom]]ary to raise the '''right hand''' while swearing an oath, whether or not the left hand is laid on a [[Bible]] or other [[text]]. This custom [[originated]] during the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages Medieval period] when [[convicted]] felons were often branded on the palm of the right hand with a [[letter]] or mark indicating their conviction. Since felons were disqualified from making declarations under oath, an oath-taker would display their right hand to show that they were free of [[convictions]] and therefore able take an oath.

There is [[confusion]] between oaths and other [[statements]] or [[promises]]. The current [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Oath Olympic Oath], for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "[[promise]]" and no appeal to a [[sacred]] [[witness]]. Oaths are also confused with vows, but really a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vow vow] is a special kind of oath.

There is [[confusion]] between oaths and other [[statements]] or [[promises]]. The current [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympic_Oath Olympic Oath], for instance, is really a pledge and not properly an oath since there is only a "[[promise]]" and no appeal to a [[sacred]] [[witness]]. Oaths are also confused with vows, but really a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vow vow] is a special kind of oath.

In [[law]], oaths are made by a [[witness]] to a [[court]] of [[law]] before giving [[testimony]] and usually by a newly-appointed [[government]] officer to the people of a [[state]] before taking office. In both of those cases, though, an affirmation can be usually substituted. A written statement, if the [[author]] swears the [[statement]] is the [[truth]], the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is called an affidavit. The oath given to [[support]] an affidavit is frequently administered by a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public notary public] who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing her or his seal to the [[document]]. Breaking an oath (or affirmation) is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury perjury].[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath]

In [[law]], oaths are made by a [[witness]] to a [[court]] of [[law]] before giving [[testimony]] and usually by a newly-appointed [[government]] officer to the people of a [[state]] before taking office. In both of those cases, though, an affirmation can be usually substituted. A written statement, if the [[author]] swears the [[statement]] is the [[truth]], the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, is called an affidavit. The oath given to [[support]] an affidavit is frequently administered by a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notary_public notary public] who will memorialize the giving of the oath by affixing her or his seal to the [[document]]. Breaking an oath (or affirmation) is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perjury perjury].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath]

[[Category: Anthropology]]

[[Category: Anthropology]]