forswerian

Old English

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *fraswarjan. Cognate with Old Saxon farswerian, Old High German farsweren. Equivalent to for- +‎ swerian.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /forˈswer.jɑn/, [forˈswerˠ.jɑn]

Verb

forswerian

1. to commit perjury, swear a false oath

Usage notes

• Like Modern English "to perjure," often used reflexively: Ġif hwelċ lǣwede mann hine forswerie, fæste fēower ġēar ("If a layman perjures himself, he must fast for four years").

Conjugation

Conjugation of forswerian (strong class 6)

infinitive	forswerian	forswerienne
indicative mood	present tense	past tense
first person singular	forswerie	forswōr
second person singular	forswerest	forswōre
third person singular	forswereþ	forswōr
plural	forsweriaþ	forswōron
subjunctive	present tense	past tense
singular	forswerie	forswōre
plural	forswerien	forswōren
imperative
singular	forswere
plural	forsweriaþ
participle	present	past
	forsweriende	forsworen

Synonyms

• mānswerian

Descendants

• Middle English: forsweren
  • English: forswear

See also

• mānāþ (“perjury”)
• mānswara (“perjurer”)