perjury Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun criminal offense of making false statements under oath
    lying under oath; bearing false witness.

WordNet

Per"ju*ry noun
Etymology
L. perjurium. See Perjure, v.
Wordforms
plural Perjuries
Definitions
  1. False swearing.
  2. (Law) At common law, a willfully false statement in a fact material to the issue, made by a witness under oath in a competent judicial proceeding. By statute the penalties of perjury are imposed on the making of willfully false affirmations. ✍ If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the United States.

Webster 1913