Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - oates

 I. biographical name Joyce Carol 1938- American writer  II. biographical name Titus 1649-1705 British fabricator of the Popish Plot OATH  noun  (plural ~s)  Etymology: Middle English ooth, from Old English ath; akin to Old High German eid ~, Middle Irish oeth  Date: before 12th century  1.  a.  (1) a solemn usually formal calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to do what one says  (2) a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one's words  b. something (as a promise) corroborated by an ~  2. an irreverent or careless use of a sacred name; broadly swearword