perjury

UK: ˈpɜːdʒəri | US: ˈpɜːrdʒəri

Definition

  1. n. the offense of willfully telling an untruth or making a misrepresentation under oath.

Structure
per <through, wrongly>jur <swear>y <noun suffix>per <through, wrongly>jur <swear>y <noun suffix>
Etymology

The word perjury traces back to Latin perjurium, combining per- (wrongly) and jus (law, oath). It originally denoted a breach of oath or false swearing, reflecting the gravity of lying under legal or divine authority. Over time, it narrowed to its modern legal sense of deliberate deceit in sworn testimony.

Examples

  1. The witness was charged with perjury after lying under oath.

  2. Committing perjury can result in severe legal consequences.

  3. The defense attorney accused the prosecutor of suborning perjury.

  4. Historical records show perjury was punishable by exile in ancient Rome.

  5. She refused to testify, fearing she might inadvertently commit perjury.