suborn
pronunciation
How to pronounce suborn in British English:
UK [səˈbɔ:n]
How to pronounce suborn in American English:
US [səˈbɔrn]
-
- Verb:
- incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
- procure (false testimony or perjury)
- induce to commit perjury or give false testimony
Word Origin
- suborn
- suborn: see ornament
- suborn (v.)
- "to procure unlawfully, to bribe to accomplish a wicked purpose, especially to induce a witness to perjury, "to lure (someone) to commit a crime," 1530s, from Middle French suborner "seduce, instigate, bribe" (13c.) and directly from Latin subornare "employ as a secret agent, incite secretly," originally "equip, fit out, furnish," from sub "under, secretly" (see sub-) + ornare "equip," related to ordo "order" (see order (n.)). Related: Suborned; suborning.
Example
- 1. He was charged with conspiracy to suborn witnesses .
- 2. Lambasting officials in poor countries for their sticky fingers is easier ( and less open to legal challenge ) than investigating the outsiders who suborn them .
- 3. They suborn witnesses to testify that he has spoken against moses and the temple .
- 4. In a separate matter , ms diallo 's lawyer in france said yesterday that he would file a suit against one of mr strauss-kahn 's political friends for " trying to suborn a witness " .
- 5. English bulldog puppies and adult dogs can be cheerful , playful , frisky , suborn and protective .