traitor

trai·tor

noun \ˈtrā-tər\

Definition of TRAITOR

1

: one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty

2

: one who commits treason

Examples of TRAITOR

1. She has been called a traitor to the liberal party's cause.
2. He was a traitor who betrayed his country by selling military secrets to the enemy.

Origin of TRAITOR

Middle English traytour, from Anglo-French traitre, from Latin traditor, from tradere to hand over, deliver, betray, from trans-, tra- trans- + dare to give — more at date

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TRAITOR

Synonyms

apostate, backstabber, betrayer, double-crosser, double-dealer, Judas, quisling, recreant, serpent, snake, turncoat

Related Words

accommodationist, collaborationist, collaborator, sellout, subversive, subverter; coconspirator, conspirator, intriguer, plotter, schemer; defector, deserter, renegade; blabbermouth, gossip, gossiper, gossipmonger, informant, informer, rat, rumormonger, snitch, snitcher, squealer, stool pigeon, talebearer, talker, tattler, tattletale, telltale

Rhymes with TRAITOR

baiter, cater, crater, dater, faitour, gaiter, gator, grater, hater, krater, later, mater, plaiter, plater, prater, rater, satyr, skater, slater, stater, stator, tater, waiter