Bound by or sworn under opposing oaths or contrary obligations, creating a legal or moral contradiction.
From counter- + sworn (past participle of swear). This legal term combines counter- with sworn, emerging in medieval and early modern English law to describe situations where conflicting vows created legal dilemmas.
In medieval times, if you were countersworn—sworn to two feudal lords with opposing interests—you were in an impossible position that could literally tear a person apart; it's why loyalty oaths were taken so seriously!
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