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. 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 ] |