perfidy
UK[ˈpɜː.fɪ.di]US[ˈpɜːr.fə.di]
n
the act of betraying someone; deceitfulness; untrustworthiness.
Morpheme Breakdown
per
fid
y
per
through, to destruction
fid
faith, trust
y
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'perfidy' has a direct lineage from latin perfidia, meaning "faithlessness, treachery". This latin noun is built from the adjective perfidus ("faithless, treacherous"), which itself is a compound of the prefix per- (here intensifying to mean "to ill effect" or "destructively") and the root fides ("faith, trust"). The literal construction "through faith" or "against faith" logically evolved to signify the act of breaking faith or trust. It entered english in the late 16th century, carrying the specific and grave connotation of a deliberate and wicked betrayal, often in contexts of oaths or solemn agreements.
Analysis
Structure: per (through, to destruction) + fid (faith, trust) + y (noun suffix)
- per: a latin prefix meaning "through, thoroughly, to destruction, badly".
- fid: from latin fidēs, meaning "faith, trust, confidence".
- y: a noun-forming suffix of latin origin, indicating state or quality.
Examples
the spy's perfidy was uncovered when secret documents were found in his possession.
history remembers the general not for his victories but for his perfidy against his own king.
such an act of perfidy shattered the trust that had taken years to build.