treachery
treachery
UK[ˈtretʃəri]US[ˈtretʃəri]
n
behavior that involves betraying someone's trust, especially by deceiving them.
n
an act of betraying someone's trust.
Etymology
the word 'treachery' entered english in the early 13th century from old french 'trecherie', meaning deceit or cheating. this old french term itself derived from 'tricher', meaning to cheat or deceive, which has its roots in the vulgar latin 'triccare', a frequentative form of the latin 'triccāre', meaning to make difficulties or to evade. the ultimate origin is obscure but may be connected to the latin 'tricae', meaning trifles, tricks, or perplexities. the semantic core has consistently revolved around deception and trickery, evolving from general cheating to the specific, grave betrayal of trust it signifies today.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from the old french 'trecherie'. it is not productively formed from separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
his treachery was revealed when secret documents were found in his possession.
the general was executed for treachery after conspiring with the enemy.
she could never forgive such an act of personal treachery from a close friend.