perjury

Perjury is knowingly telling a lie or breaking an oath.

(noun)

An example of perjury is a witness telling a lie while giving testimony in court.

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See perjury in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. perjuries

  1. the willful telling of a lie while under lawful oath or affirmation to tell the truth in a matter material to the point of inquiry
  2. the breaking of any oath or formal promise

Origin: ME < OFr parjurie < L perjurium < perjurus, false, breaking oath < per, through + jus (gen. juris), a right, justice: see jury

See perjury in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. per·ju·ries
  1. Law The deliberate, willful giving of false, misleading, or incomplete testimony under oath.
  2. The breach of an oath or promise.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English periurie

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Latin periūrium

Origin: , from periūrāre, to perjure; see perjure

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Related Forms:

  • per·juˈri·ous (pər-jo͝orˈē-əs) adjective
  • per·juˈri·ous·ly adverb

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