perjure

[ pur-jer ]

verb (used with object)

, per·jured, per·jur·ing.

1. to render (oneself ) guilty of swearing falsely or of willfully making a false statement under oath or solemn affirmation:

   The witness perjured herself when she denied knowing the defendant.

perjure

/ ˈpɜːdʒə /

verb

1. tr criminal law to render (oneself) guilty of perjury

Derived Forms

• ˈperjurer, noun

Other Words From

• perjure·ment noun
• perjur·er noun
• un·perjur·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of perjure¹

First recorded in 1475–85; from Latin perjūrāre “to swear falsely,” from per- “through,” i.e., “beyond the limits” ( per- ) + jūrāre “to swear,” literally, “to be at law” (derivative of jūs jus ¹( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of perjure¹

C15: from Old French parjurer, from Latin perjūrāre, from per- + jūrāre to make an oath, from jūs law

Example Sentences

To get around it, couples that wanted to split lied, perjured themselves and manufactured evidence to prove they were entitled to a divorce.

From Salon

As the trials unfolded, there were accusations of police misconduct, excessive use of force, officers perjuring themselves on the stand, witness tampering and racism.

From Los Angeles Times

But a federal judge suggested that Cohen perjured himself either in his testimony or his guilty plea.

From Seattle Times

"New emails coming out of Wisconsin settlement provide strong proof he perjured himself."

From Salon

"Yeartie's testimony has been particularly harmful and raises the possibility that Willis perjured herself when she declared under oath that their relationship started after Wade was hired," says Rahmani.

From BBC