Unsworn

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Not having made a formal promise or vow to tell the truth, as with a witness who has not been sworn in ; not yet bound to a duty by an oath of office
2. Describing a person who has not taken an oath, such as a witness giving evidence without swearing ; referring to someone not yet formally installed into an office by oath
3. Not having taken a formal oath, especially a witness who has not yet promised to speak the truth in court

Etymology: "Unsworn" is a plain formation: the negating prefix "un-" attached to "sworn," the past participle of "swear." The prefix itself reaches English from very old roots. It descends from a Proto-Indo-European negative particle, passed down through Proto-Germanic and Old English, and it has been a productive English prefix ever since, so it can be added to almost any verb participle to mean "not having been" or "not having done" the thing named. "Sworn" carries the core meaning. Its verb, "swear," goes back to Old English, and the participle "sworn" means having been bound by an oath. Put the negation on top and "unsworn" describes someone who has not taken an oath, or a statement or testimony that was not given under oath. In legal settings this distinction matters: an unsworn witness may speak but is not bound by the penalties attached to perjury.

Antonyms: sworn