What is the term for giving false testimony under oath?

The correct term for giving false testimony under oath is perjury. This legal concept specifically refers to the act of an individual willfully providing false information while under an oath to tell the truth, often in a court of law. The significance of perjury lies in its potential to undermine the judicial system, as it obstructs the pursuit of truth and justice.

In legal contexts, perjury is considered a serious offense, as it can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment. Understanding perjury is critical for those in fields related to law and ethics, as it highlights the importance of honesty and integrity in legal proceedings.

Other terms listed, while related to legal matters, describe different concepts. For instance, false witness refers to the act of testifying with false information but does not encompass the formal legal implications that perjury does. Forgery involves the unauthorized alteration or creation of documents to deceive, while subordination typically refers to the act of persuading someone else to commit perjury, but does not define the act of false testimony itself. Thus, perjury is the most precise term to describe the act of providing false testimony under oath.