treasonous
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Meaning
involving or guilty of the crime of betraying one's country.
Structure
Usage
the general was accused of treasonous communication with the enemy.
his actions were deemed treasonous and a threat to national security.
leaking the classified documents was a treasonous act.
Etymology
The word "treasonous" is built upon the noun "treason," which entered English from Anglo-Norman 'treisoun' and Old French 'traïson'. These derive from Latin 'traditio', a noun of action from 'tradere', meaning "to hand over, deliver, betray." This Latin verb itself is a compound of 'trans-' (across) and 'dare' (to give). The suffix '-ous', of Latin origin via French, is a prolific adjective-forming element. Thus, the literal construction "treason + ous" yields the meaning "characterized by or full of betrayal," specifically the betrayal of one's allegiance or nation.
Analysis
- treason: from latin 'tradition-', 'traditio' meaning "a handing over, betrayal," from the verb 'tradere' (to hand over). functions as the core noun root. - ous: a suffix of latin origin via old french, forming adjectives meaning "full of, having the qualities of, characterized by."