Suborning Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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suborning
[səˈbɔrnɪŋ ]
Definition
legal context
Suborning refers to the act of persuading someone to commit an unlawful act, especially to give false testimony in a legal proceeding. This term is often used in legal contexts where someone is accused of tampering with a witness or encouraging perjury.
Synonyms
encouraging, inciting, instigating, procuring.
Examples of usage
- The lawyer was accused of suborning a witness.
- He was charged with suborning false testimony.
- Suborning witnesses is a serious offense.
- The investigation revealed attempts at suborning jurors.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Legal Context
- Suborning is often associated with coercing someone to lie in court, which is a serious crime.
- Legal systems view suborning as an attempt to undermine the justice process, thus carrying severe penalties.
Pop Culture
- Films and novels often feature plots where characters suborn others, highlighting themes of betrayal and corruption.
- In crime dramas, suborning a witness is a common tactic used by villains to manipulate the legal system.
Ethics
- Encouraging someone to engage in dishonest behavior raises questions about morality and personal responsibility.
- Philosophers often debate the boundaries of influence and how far one can go in persuading another to act immorally.
Psychology
- Psychological studies explore how peer pressure can lead to suborning, where individuals act against their better judgment.
- The dynamics of manipulation often reveal how authority figures can suborn others to achieve their goals.
Origin of 'suborning'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'subornare,' which means 'to secretly equip or prepare.'
- In English law, it has roots dating back to the late 15th century, related to secretly persuading someone to commit perjury.
The term 'suborn' originates from the Latin word 'subornare', which means 'to secretly furnish or equip'. The prefix 'sub-' means 'under' or 'below', and 'ornare' means 'to equip' or 'to adorn'. The word entered the English language in the late Middle Ages, primarily used in legal jargon to describe the act of inducing someone to perform a wrongdoing, especially in the context of influencing witnesses or jurors. Over time, the usage of the term has evolved but has retained its association with illicit persuasion and wrongdoing in legal matters, making it a critical component in discussions of legal ethics and criminal law.