v. [UN-2 3, 7. Cf. OFris. unswera, und-, untswera, MDu. ontsweren (Du. ontzweren), MLG. entsweren, MHG. untswern.] trans. To retract (something sworn or asserted).
1595. Shaks., John, III. i. 245. [To] Vn-sweare faith sworne.
1596. Edward III., II. i. 326. Thinkst that thou canst unswere thy oth againe?
c. 1640. J. Smyth, Lives Berkeleys (1833), I. 94. The kinge repents and purposeth to undoe and vnsweare what to his Barons hee had done.
1690. Dryden, Amphitryon, IV. i. Think what thou wert, and who cou’d swear too much? Think what thou art, and that unswears it all.
1706. De Foe, Jure Div., IV. 79. Their vow’d Allegiance early they withheld,… And unswore all Allegiance to his Line.
1829. Landor, Imag. Conv., II. 447. What you propose to swear to-morrow you will unswear the day after.
1874. Swinburne, Bothwell, II. xvii. He … shall oversay the word he said In your own ear, or else unswear it.
absol. 1591. Spenser, M. Hubberd, 1058. Who would not oft sweare, And oft vnsweare, a Diademe to beare?
1681. Hickeringill, Sin Man-catching, Wks. 1716, I. 175. False Witnesses, whose Tongues can swear and unswear.
a. 1734. North, Lives (1826), I. 88. Her adversary defamed her for swearing and unswearing.
1872. Tennyson, Last Tourn., 637. Unsay it, unswear!
Hence Unswearing vbl. sb.
[1775. Ash.]
1822. Shelley, Chas. I., II. 321. Thou wilt preside Over a knot of censurers, To the unswearing of thy best resolves.
