Main Entry:

be·tray

Pronunciation:

\bi-ˈtrā, bē-\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from be- + trayen to betray, from Anglo-French trahir, from Latin tradere — more at traitor

Date:

13th century

transitive verb1: to lead astray ; especially : seduce2: to deliver to an enemy by treachery3: to fail or desert especially in time of need <betrayed his family>4 a: to reveal unintentionally <betray one's true feelings> b: show, indicate c: to disclose in violation of confidence <betray a secret>intransitive verb: to prove false

synonyms see reveal

— be·tray·al \-ˈtrā(-ə)l\ noun

— be·tray·er \-ˈtrā-ər\ noun