sworn (3 in mediaeval chivalry ‘fratres jurati’ were men who had taken an oath to share each others' fortunes; 4 developed from “sworn foe” 3H6 III. iii. 257, “sworn enemy” Tw.N. III. iv. 189)
1.
“sworn
counsel,” pledged secrecy All'sW. III. vii. 9.
2.
bound by a tie or
obligation, (of a friend) close, intimate
Wint. I. ii. 167
“Now my friend,”
H8 I. ii. 191
“being my servant,”
Lr. III. iv. 81
“commit not with man's
spouse,”
Cym. II. iv. 125
“her attendants are All
sworn and honourable.”
3.
“
brother,” one pledged “to” another in
comradeship, close or intimate friend
Ado I. i. 74
“every month a new
brother,”
Wint. IV. iii. [iv.] 609,
R2 V. i. 20
“I am brother . . . To
grim Necessity,”
1H4 II. iv. 7,
H5 II. i. 13
“ brothers to
France”
(=pledged to share each others' fortunes in
the expedition to France), Cor. II. iii. 101.
4.
inveterate
Tim. III. v. 69
“a sworn rioter.”
