[f. as prec. + -AL 2.]
1. A treacherous giving up to an enemy.
1816. Southey, Ess. (1832), I. 354. The betrayal and imprisonment of Toussaint.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xxviii. 108. An attempted betrayal of the country into the hands of an invader.
Hymn, The dark betrayal night.
2. A violation of trust or confidence, an abandonment of something committed to one’s charge.
1826. Southey, in Q. Rev., XXXIV. 346. Tempted to such betrayal of his trust by habits of reckless expenditure.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. iv. 292. He must justly have resented the betrayal of his confidence.
3. A revelation or divulging of something which it is desirable to keep secret.
1873. Black, Pr. Thule, 23. Men … not to be led into these betrayals of their secret opinions.
