for·swear / fôrˈswe(ə)r/ • v. (past -swore; past part. -sworn) [tr.] formal agree to give up or do without (something): he would never forswear the religion of his people. ∎  (forswear oneself/be forsworn) swear falsely; commit perjury: I swore that I would lead us safely home and I do not mean to be forsworn.

FORSWEAR

Incriminal law, to make oath to that which the deponent knows to be untrue. This term is wider in its scope than perjury, for the latter, as a technical term, includes the idea of the oath being taken before a competent court or officer and relating to a material issue, which is not implied by the word forswear.

forswear OE. forswerian; see FOR-1, SWEAR.