Perjury

n. pl. Perjuries (#).

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.