betrayal
|be/tray/al|
B2
/bɪˈtreɪəl/
(betray)
disloyalty or revelation
Etymology
Etymology Information
'betrayal' originates from the Old French word 'betrayer', where 'be-' meant 'thoroughly' and 'trahir' meant 'to hand over or deliver'.
Historical Evolution
'betrayer' transformed into the Middle English word 'betrayen', and eventually became the modern English word 'betrayal'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to hand over or deliver treacherously', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'act of disloyalty'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the act of being disloyal or treacherous to someone or something.
His betrayal of trust was unforgivable.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39