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betray definition

be·tray (bē trā, bi-)

transitive verb

    1. to help the enemy of (one's country, cause, etc.); be a traitor to
    2. to deliver or expose to an enemy traitorously
  1. to break faith with; fail to meet the hopes of he betrayed my trust in him
  2. to lead astray; deceive; specif., to seduce and then desert
  3. to reveal unknowingly or against one's wishes his face betrays his fear
  4. to reveal or show signs of; indicate the house betrays its age
  5. to disclose (secret information, confidential plans, etc.)

Etymology: ME bitraien < be-, intens. + traien, betray < OFr trair < L tradere, to hand over: see treason

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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