perjure

perjure
    v 1: knowingly tell an untruth in a legal court and render
         oneself guilty of perjury
    

Perjure \Per"jure\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Perjured}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Perjuring}.] [F. parjurer, L. perjurare, perjerare; per
   through, over + jurare to swear. See {Jury}.]
   1. To cause to violate an oath or a vow; to cause to make
      oath knowingly to what is untrue; to make guilty of
      perjury; to forswear; to corrupt; -- often used
      reflexively; as, he perjured himself.
      [1913 Webster]

            Want will perjure
            The ne'er-touched vestal.             --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To make a false oath to; to deceive by oaths and
      protestations. [Obs.]
      [1913 Webster]

            And with a virgin innocence did pray
            For me, that perjured her.            --J. Fletcher.
      [1913 Webster]

   Syn: To {Perjure}, {Forswear}.

   Usage: These words have been used interchangeably; but there
          is a tendency to restrict perjure to that species of
          forswearing which constitutes the crime of perjury at
          law, namely, the willful violation of an oath
          administered by a magistrate or according to law.
          [1913 Webster]
    

Perjure \Per"jure\, n. [L. perjurus: cf. OF. parjur, F.
   parjure.]
   A perjured person. [Obs.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]