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Webster 1913 Edition


Perfidy

Per′fi-dy

(pẽr′fĭ-dy̆)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Perfidies
(pẽr′fĭ-dĭz)
.
[L.
perfidia
, fr. L.
perfidus
faithless;
per
(cf. Skr.
parā
away) +
fides
faith: cf. F.
perfidie
. See
Faith
.]
The act of violating faith or allegiance; violation of a promise or vow, or of trust reposed; faithlessness; treachery.
The ambition and
perfidy
of tyrants.
Macaulay.
His
perfidy
to this sacred engagement.
DeQuincey.

Webster 1828 Edition


Perfidy

PER'FIDY

,
Noun.
[L. perfidia; per and fides, faith.] The act of violating faith, a promise, vow or allegiance; treachery; the violation of a trust reposed. Perfidy is not applied to violations of contracts in ordinary pecuniary transactions, but to violations of faith or trust in friendship, in agency and office, in allegiance, in connubial engagements, and in the transactions of kings.