Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Betray
Be-tray′
(bē̍-trā′)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Betrayed
(-trād′)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Betraying
.] 1.
To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly;
as, an officer
. betrayed
the cityJesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be
betrayed
into the hands of men. Matt. xvii. 22.
2.
To prove faithless or treacherous to, as to a trust or one who trusts; to be false to; to deceive;
as, to
. betray
a person or a causeBut when I rise, I shall find my legs
betraying
me. Johnson.
3.
To violate the confidence of, by disclosing a secret, or that which one is bound in honor not to make known.
Willing to serve or
betray
any government for hire. Macaulay.
4.
To disclose or discover, as something which prudence would conceal; to reveal unintentionally.
Be swift to hear, but cautious of your tongue, lest you
betray
your ignorance. T. Watts.
5.
To mislead; to expose to inconvenience not foreseen to lead into error or sin.
Genius . . . often
betrays
itself into great errors. T. Watts.
6.
To lead astray, as a maiden; to seduce (as under promise of marriage) and then abandon.
7.
To show or to indicate; – said of what is not obvious at first, or would otherwise be concealed.
All the names in the country
betray
great antiquity. Bryant.
Webster 1828 Edition
Betray
BETRA'Y
,Verb.
T.
1.
To deliver into the hands of an enemy by treachery or fraud, in violation of trust; as, an officer betrayed the city. The son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. Matt.17.
2.
To violate by fraud, or unfaithfulness; as, to betray a trust. If the people of America ever betray their trust, their guilt will merit even greater punishment than other nations have suffered, and the indignation of heaven.
3.
To violate confidence by disclosing a secret, or that which was intrusted; to expose; followed by the person, or the thing; as, my friend betrayed me, or betrayed the secret.4.
To disclose, or permit to appear, what is intended to be kept secret, or what prudence would conceal. Be swift to hear, but cautions of your tongue, lest you betray your ignorance.
Hence,
5.
To mislead or expose to inconvenience not foreseen; as, great confidence betrays a man into errors.6.
To show; to discover; to indicate what is not obvious at first view, or would otherwise be concealed. Nor, after length of years, a stone betray
The place where once the very ruins lay.
This river betrays its original in its name.
All the names in the country betray great antiquity.
7.
To fail, or deceive. But when I rise, I shall find my legs betraying me.