perjury

[ pur-juh-ree ]

noun

, Law.

, plural per·ju·ries.

1. the willful giving of false testimony under oath or affirmation, before a competent tribunal, upon a point material to a legal inquiry.

perjury

/ ˈpɜːdʒərɪ; pɜːˈdʒʊərɪəs /

noun

1. criminal law the offence committed by a witness in judicial proceedings who, having been lawfully sworn or having affirmed, wilfully gives false evidence

Derived Forms

• perjurious, adjective
• perˈjuriously, adverb

Other Words From

• per·ju·ri·ous [per-, joor, -ee-, uh, s], adjective
• per·juri·ous·ly adverb
• per·juri·ous·ness noun
• non·perju·ry noun plural nonperjuries

Word History and Origins

Origin of perjury¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English perjurie, from Anglo-French, from Latin perjūrium, from perjūr(us) “swearing falsely” ( perjure ) + -ium -ium; replacing parjure, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of perjury¹

C14: from Anglo-French parjurie, from Latin perjūrium a false oath; see perjure

Example Sentences

“They cannot swear under threat of perjury that there’s irreparable harm, and then turn around say under our litigation, ‘No harm, no foul.’”

From Los Angeles Times

When registering to vote, a person must fill out a form giving their name, address and date of birth and certifying that they are a U.S. citizen, then sign it under penalty of perjury.

From Los Angeles Times

When detectives got a tip that another man had confessed to the killing, the petition says, they failed to seriously investigate, instead threatening the tipster with perjury charges and scaring him into leaving town.

From Los Angeles Times

Under penalty of perjury, Gamble signed nomination paperwork on Aug. 7 that stated she personally collected and witnessed 30 signatures.

From Los Angeles Times

The animal rights group is seeking an order to require Haddix and her alleged accomplices to prove that they have not violated previous court orders nor committed perjury in past proceedings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• deception
• dishonesty
• falsehood
• falsification