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.
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Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be
betrayed into the hands of men. --Matt. xvii.
22.
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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.
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But when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me.
--Johnson.
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3. To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or
that which one is bound in honor not to make known.
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Willing to serve or betray any government for hire.
--Macaulay.
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4. To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would
conceal; to reveal unintentionally.
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Be swift to hear, but cautious of your tongue, lest
you betray your ignorance. --T. Watts.
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5. To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to
lead into error or sin.
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Genius . . . often betrays itself into great errors.
--T. Watts.
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6. To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise
of marriage) and then abandon.
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7. To show or to indicate; -- said of what is not obvious at
first, or would otherwise be concealed.
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All the names in the country betray great antiquity.
--Bryant.
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