Oath

An external pledge or asseveration, made in verification of statements made or to be made, coupled with an appeal to a sacred or venerated object, in evidence of the serious and reverent state of mind of the party, or with an invocation to a supreme being to witness the words of the party and to visit him with punishment if they be false. A religious asseveration, by which a person renounces the mercy and imprecates the vengeance of heaven, if he do not speak the truth.

1 Leach, 430.

The calling upon God to witness that what is said by the person sworn is true, and invoking the divine vengeance upon his head, if what he says is false.

10 Ohio, 123.

Oaths are either judicial or extrajudicial; the former, when taken in some judicial proceeding or in relation to some matter connected with judicial proceedings; the latter, when not taken in any judicial proceeding, or without any authority of law, though taken formally before a proper person. An official oath is one taken by an officer when he assumes charge of his office, whereby he declares that he will faithfully discharge the duties of the same, or whatever else may be required by statute in the particular case. An assertory oath is one required by law other than in judicial proceedings and upon induction to office. A corporal oath is one taken by the form of laying the hand on or kissing a copy of the gospels. The terms "corporal oath" and "solemn oath" are synonymous; and an oath taken with the uplifted hand is properly described by either term in an indictment for perjury.

1 Ind. 184.