The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

perjury

IPA:

Dictionary definition of perjury

The act of intentionally making false statements while under oath or affirmation.
"The perjury conviction resulted in the witness being sentenced to prison."

Detailed meaning of perjury

It is considered a criminal offense and is punishable by law. It can occur in a legal setting, such as a court of law, or in other situations where an oath or affirmation is required. Examples of perjury include lying during a trial, making false statements in a deposition, or falsely signing an affidavit. Perjury can be committed by witnesses, defendants, or any person giving testimony or making a statement under oath. The legal consequences of perjury can vary depending on the jurisdiction, but it is generally considered a serious crime, and can result in fines, imprisonment, or both. It's worth noting that Perjury is also known as false testimony.

Example sentences containing perjury

1. The witness was charged with perjury after providing false testimony in court.
2. Perjury is considered a serious offense and can result in legal consequences.
3. The perjury trial attracted media attention due to the high-profile nature of the case.
4. The defendant's perjury was uncovered when contradictory evidence was presented.
5. The judge warned the witness about the penalties for committing perjury.
6. The attorney accused the opposing party of engaging in perjury to manipulate the case.

History and etymology of perjury

The noun 'perjury' has a fascinating etymology rooted in Latin. It stems from the Latin word 'perjurium,' which is a combination of 'per' meaning 'through' or 'thoroughly,' and 'jurare,' meaning 'to swear' or 'to take an oath.' In essence, 'perjury' traces its origins to the notion of swearing falsely or going against one's oath. It has retained this fundamental meaning throughout its linguistic evolution. When someone commits perjury, they deliberately make false statements while under oath or affirmation, violating the solemn promise they made, and thus, the term 'perjury' encapsulates this act of dishonesty and breach of trust within a legal or formal context.

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Further usage examples of perjury

1. The witness confessed to perjury under intense questioning from the prosecutor.
2. Perjury undermines the integrity of the judicial system and obstructs justice.
3. The jury deliberated for hours, considering the credibility of the witnesses and the possibility of perjury.
4. The perjury allegations cast doubt on the veracity of the defendant's testimony.
5. The defense attorney argued that the witness's inconsistent statements were indicative of perjury.
6. The perjury charge was dropped after the defendant agreed to cooperate with the investigation.
7. The defendant's perjury was exposed when video evidence contradicted their statements.
8. The perjury scandal rocked the political landscape, leading to widespread public outrage.
9. The witness was caught in a web of lies and faced severe consequences for perjury.
10. The prosecutor called expert witnesses to testify about the likelihood of perjury in the case.
11. The judge admonished the jury to carefully consider the evidence and watch for signs of perjury.
12. The defense team hired a private investigator to uncover any instances of perjury by the prosecution's witnesses.
13. The defendant's reputation was tarnished after being convicted of perjury.
14. The court imposed a hefty fine on the individual found guilty of perjury to deter similar actions in the future.