treasonous

American  

[tree-zuh-nuhs] / ˈtri zə nəs /

adjective

1. treasonable.

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Other Word Forms

• treasonously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of treasonous

First recorded in 1585–95; treason + -ous

Explanation

Anything treasonous involves a betrayal, particularly of your country. Your sister might consider it treasonous if you tell your parents she skipped school to go to the beach. When we betray our friends or families, that's personally treasonous. To betray your country is legally treasonous, since it's a punishable crime. It would be treasonous for a CIA agent to hand over U.S. secrets to an enemy spy—and the root of treasonous is the Latin verb tradere, "to hand over or betray."

Example Sentences

Treasonous conspirator he may be, but he breaks quickly enough and gives up General McClendon.

From The Guardian • Apr. 10, 2017

Treasonous farmers were said to be growing tomatoes in arrow-shaped patches that pointed the way for enemy pilots to California defense plants.

From Time Magazine Archive

“Considerations and Proposals in order to the Regulation of the Press, together with diverse instances of Treasonous and Seditious Pamphlets, proving the necessity thereof,” 1663.

From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac

Feares and scruples shake vs: In the great Hand of God I stand, and thence, Against the vndivulg'd pretence, I fight Of Treasonous Mallice Macd.

From Macbeth by Shakespeare, William

Treasonous ambition in Macbeth collides with loyalty and patriotism in Macduff and Malcolm: here is the outward conflict.

From Shakespearean Tragedy Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth by Bradley, A. C. (Andrew Cecil)