traitor

Meanings

Noun

• Someone who violates an allegiance and betrays their country; someone guilty of treason; one who, in breach of trust, delivers their country to an enemy, or yields up any fort or place entrusted to his defense, or surrenders an army or body of troops to the enemy, unless when vanquished
• Someone who takes arms and levies war against their country; or one who aids an enemy in conquering his country.
• Hence, one who betrays any confidence or trust.

Verb

• To act the traitor toward; to betray; to deceive.

Adjective

• traitorous

Origin

• From Middle English traitor, traitour, traytour, from Old French traitor (French traître), from Latin trāditor.