betray
UK[bɪˈtreɪ]US[bɪˈtreɪ]
v
to give information about someone or something to an enemy
v
to be disloyal to someone who trusts you
v
to show feelings or thoughts that you are trying to hide
Morpheme Breakdown
be
tray
be
tray
to hand over, deliver
Etymology
the word 'betray' entered english from old french 'betrair', which itself evolved from the vulgar latin 'betradere'. this latin form is a combination of the intensive prefix 'be-' and the verb 'tradere', meaning 'to hand over, deliver'. the core latin root 'tradere' is composed of 'trans-' (across) and 'dare' (to give), literally painting a picture of handing something over from one party to another. over time, the meaning shifted from the neutral act of delivery to the specific, negative act of delivering someone into the hands of an enemy or revealing secrets treacherously, which is its modern sense.
Analysis
Structure: be + tray
be- (old english, a prefix forming verbs, often with an intensifying or transitive force)
tray (middle english, from old french 'trair', from latin 'tradere' meaning 'to hand over, deliver')
Examples
he was accused of betraying his country to the enemy.
her nervous laugh betrayed her anxiety.
i felt betrayed when my best friend shared my secret.