Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FOR-SWEAR, v.t. [pret. forswore; pp. forsworn. Sax. forswærian; Dan. forsværer; Sw. försvära; G. verschwören, abschwören; D. afzweeren. See Swear and Answer.]

1. To reject or renounce upon oath. Shak.
2. To deny upon oath. Like innocence, and as serenely bold / As truth, how loudly he forswears thy gold. Dryden. To forswear one's self, is to swear falsely; to perjure one's self. Thou shalt not forswear thyself. Matth. v.