Meaning of by the rood | Babel Free

Definitions

Used as an oath to emphasize the veracity of an associated statement; equivalent to "I swear on Christ's cross."

archaic

Examples

“Sim[on]. I pray thee tell me now, coulde such a shrow as thou, Content thy selfe with such a sheepe as I, how sayst thou now? Sus[an]. A sheepe, nay by the Roode, I rather would haue guest you, more a Hog like, then a sheepe […]”

“Gertrude. Have you forgot me? Hamlet. No, by the rood, not so!”

“By the rood! if I had my will upon ye, I should nail you upon the abbey doors, as they hang vermin before their holes.”

CEFR level