Per"ju*ry (?), n.; pl. Perjuries (#). [L. perjurium. See Perjure, v.]
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.