What is "to take a name in vain"

Name \Name\ (n[=a]m), n. [AS. nama; akin to D. naam, OS. & OHG. namo, G. name, Icel. nafn, for namn, Dan. navn, Sw. namn, Goth. nam[=o], L. nomen (perh. influenced by noscere, gnoscere, to learn to know), Gr. 'o`mona, Scr. n[=a]man. [root]267. Cf. Anonymous, Ignominy, Misnomer, Nominal, Noun.]

1. The title by which any person or thing is known or designated; a distinctive specific appellation, whether of an individual or a class.

   Whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
   --Gen. ii. 19.

   What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.
   --Shak.

2. A descriptive or qualifying appellation given to a person or thing, on account of a character or acts.

   His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
   --Is. ix. 6.

3. Reputed character; reputation, good or bad; estimation; fame; especially, illustrious character or fame; honorable estimation; distinction.

   What men of name resort to him?
   --Shak.

   Far above . . . every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
   --Eph. i. 21.

   I will get me a name and honor in the kingdom.
   --1 Macc. iii. 1

4. He hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin.
   --Deut. xxii. 19.

   The king's army . . . had left no good name behind.
   --Clarendon.

   4. Those of a certain name; a race; a family.

   The ministers of the republic, mortal enemies of his name, came every day to pay their feigned civilities.
   --Motley.

5. A person, an individual. [Poetic] They list with women each degenerate name. --Dryden. Christian name.

   1. The name a person receives at baptism, as distinguished from surname; baptismal name; in western countries, it is also called a first name.

   2. A given name, whether received at baptism or not. Given name. See under Given. In name, in profession, or by title only; not in reality; as, a friend in name. In the name of.

      1. In behalf of; by the authority of. `` I charge you in the duke's name to obey me.''
         --Shak.

      2. In the represented or assumed character of. ``I'll to him again in name of Brook.''
         --Shak.

         Name plate, a plate as of metal, glass, etc., having a name upon it, as a sign; a doorplate.

         Pen name, a name assumed by an author; a pseudonym or nom de plume.
         --Bayard Taylor.

         Proper name (Gram.), a name applied to a particular person, place, or thing.

         To call names, to apply opprobrious epithets to; to call by reproachful appellations.

         To take a name in vain, to use a name lightly or profanely; to use a name in making flippant or dishonest oaths.
         --Ex. xx. 7.

         Syn: Appellation; title; designation; cognomen; denomination; epithet.

         Usage: Name, Appellation, Title, Denomination. Name is generic, denoting that combination of sounds or letters by which a person or thing is known and distinguished. Appellation, although sometimes put for name simply, denotes, more properly, a descriptive term (called also agnomen or cognomen), used by way of marking some individual peculiarity or characteristic; as, Charles the Bold, Philip the Stammerer. A title is a term employed to point out one's rank, office, etc.; as, the Duke of Bedford, Paul the Apostle, etc. Denomination is to particular bodies what appellation is to individuals; thus, the church of Christ is divided into different denominations, as Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, etc.