traitor

Everyday

1. A traitor is a person who betrays their country, for example by helping its enemies. tree →
2. A traitor is someone who betrays friends, a team or a group they belonged to, by giving away secrets or changing sides. tree →

In the lessons

In history and stories (spies, wars, kings) the word marks one of the worst crimes. In playground talk children shout "Traitor!" at someone who joins the other team or tells a secret, often half as a joke. Phrases: «a traitor to his country», «turn traitor», «You traitor!», «traitor's gate».

Examples

• The traitor gave the secret plans to the enemy. tree →
• Guy Fawkes was called a traitor for his plot against the king. tree →
• "Traitor!" Jake joked when his friend joined the other team. tree →
• She felt like a traitor for telling Mum the secret. tree →
• In the story, the knight's best friend turned out to be a traitor. tree →
• Traitors were once taken through Traitors' Gate at the Tower of London. tree →
• He was no traitor; he only told the truth to stop someone getting hurt. tree →
• 'Ah, traitor!' cried the wolf, howling with rage. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Related: betray, betrayal, treason (the crime of betraying your country), treacherous. Trap: telling a teacher when someone is in danger is not being a traitor; it is keeping people safe.

In Jewish tradition

Here it describes people who are faithless and wicked, who break trust with God and with others.

Interpretation. The psalmist asks God to deal with those who betray, and tradition reads this as a prayer for justice against the wicked.

Examples

• Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, arouse Thyself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to any iniquitous traitors. (Writings PSA.59.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable noun. Related: betray, betrayal, treason (the crime of betraying your country), treacherous. Trap: telling a teacher when someone is in danger is not being a traitor; it is keeping people safe.