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.

&fist; If a man swear falsely in nonjudicial affidavits, it is made perjury by statute in some jurisdictions in the United States.

• (law) The deliberate giving of false or misleading testimony under oath