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betray

 - 3 dictionary results

be⋅tray

  [bi-trey]
Use betray in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.
2. to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust.
3. to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends.
4. to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence: to betray a secret.
5. to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal): Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.
6. to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose: an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.
7. to deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.
8. to seduce and desert.
Origin:
1200–50; ME bitraien, equiv. to bi- be- + traien < OF trair < L trādere to betray. See traitor

Related forms:
be⋅tray⋅al, noun
be⋅tray⋅er, noun

Synonyms:
4. bare, expose, tell, divulge. 6. display, manifest, expose, uncover.

Antonyms:
4, 6. hide, conceal.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To betray
be·tray   (bĭ-trā')   
tr.v.   be·trayed, be·tray·ing, be·trays

    1. To give aid or information to an enemy of; commit treason against: betray one's country.

    2. To deliver into the hands of an enemy in violation of a trust or allegiance: betrayed Christ to the Romans.

  2. To be false or disloyal to: betrayed their cause; betray one's better nature.

  3. To divulge in a breach of confidence: betray a secret.

  4. To make known unintentionally: Her hollow laugh betrayed her contempt for the idea.

  5. To reveal against one's desire or will.

  6. To lead astray; deceive. See Synonyms at deceive.


[Middle English bitrayen : bi-, be- + trayen, to betray (from Old French trair, from Latin trādere, to hand over; see tradition).]
be·tray'al n., be·tray'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

betray 
c.1275, bitrayen "mislead, deceive, betray," from M.E. be- + O.Fr. traien, from L. tradere "hand over," from trans- "across" + dare "to give" (see date (1)).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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