v. Obs. Forms: 4 bi-, betrais(e, -trayse, bitrissh, bytrassh, betreyss, Sc. betrese, 4–6 betrais(s, 5 betraishe, -trayshe, -trasche, 6 betrassh, -traysshe, Sc. betrase. [f. BE- 2 + traïss-, trahiss-, lengthened stem of F. trahir to BETRAY, q.v.] A by-form of BETRAY, chiefly northern.
1. trans. To deliver treacherously into the hand or power of an enemy; = BETRAY 1.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 15272. He þat etes o mi dische, He sal be-trais [v.r. betrays, -traye] me.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Pers. T., 195. He hadde be bitraysed of his disciple.
1430. Lydg., Chron. Troy, IV. xxxv. This priest … For golde and good betrayshed the cytye.
1558. Kennedy, Compend. Treat., in Misc. Wodrow Soc., 136. The devyll possessit the hart of Judas to betrais his Lorde.
2. To act treacherously towards (a person); to deceive (the trustful or innocent).
c. 1374. Chaucer, Troylus, V. 1780. For wommen that betraised be Thorwgh fals folk.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 17. Worthy crystoll off Seytoune In-to Loudon betresyt was.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 1648. In the snare I felle anoon, That hath bitrisshed many oon.
1501. Douglas, Pal. Hon., I. lx. Thou … hes … Hir sone … For till betrais awaitit heir sen prime.
3. To seize or entrap (the unsuspecting).
c. 1400. Epiph. (Turnb., 1843), 136. Yf he may askape Or deth betrasche hym with hys sodeyn rape.
1535. Lyndesay, Satyre, 3282. Haif I nocht maid ane honest schift That hes betrasit common Thift?
1583. Stanyhurst, Æneis, IV. (Arb.), 108. A tarbreeche quystroune … with phrensye betrasshed.
4. To reveal, disclose incidentally. Cf. BETRAY 6.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 1520. He therof was alle abasshed; His owne shadowe was hym bytrasshed.
