'Betray' definitions:

Definition of 'Betray'

From: GCIDE
  • Betray \Be*tray"\ (b[-e]*tr[=a]"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Betrayed (-tr[=a]d"); p. pr. & vb. n. Betraying.] [OE. betraien, bitraien; pref. be- + OF. tra["i]r to betray, F. trahir, fr. L. tradere. See Traitor.]
  • 1. To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly; as, an officer betrayed the city. [1913 Webster]
  • Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. --Matt. xvii. 22. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to be false to; to deceive; as, to betray a person or a cause. [1913 Webster]
  • But when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me. --Johnson. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or that which one is bound in honor not to make known. [1913 Webster]
  • Willing to serve or betray any government for hire. --Macaulay. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would conceal; to reveal unintentionally. [1913 Webster]
  • Be swift to hear, but cautious of your tongue, lest you betray your ignorance. --T. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to lead into error or sin. [1913 Webster]
  • Genius . . . often betrays itself into great errors. --T. Watts. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. To show or to indicate; -- said of what is not obvious at first, or would otherwise be concealed. [1913 Webster]
  • All the names in the country betray great antiquity. --Bryant. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Betray'