perjury

[pur-juh-ree]

noun

Law.

plural

perjuries 

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

Other Word Forms

• perjurious adjective
• perjuriously adverb
• perjuriousness noun
• nonperjury noun

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

Interim UVA President Paul Mahoney must certify compliance on penalty of perjury, but the agreement doesn’t include fines or serious penalties.

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In the later years of Bush’s presidency, Cheney appeared to lose influence as his office was beset by scandals, including the conviction of his chief of staff on perjury charges.

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The investigation resulted in the conviction four years later of Cheney aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby for perjury and obstruction of justice.

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The perjury charges relate to claims made by Hernandez on his Statement of Economic Interests public disclosure forms, also known as the Form 700, the district attorney said.

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His daughter Caroline said she was devastated at the outcome but would continue to demand that soldiers be prosecuted for perjury.

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Related Words

• deception 
• dishonesty 
• falsehood 
• falsification www.thesaurus.com