BETRA'Y, verb transitive [Latin traho.]

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. Matthew 17:22.

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.