treason
TREE-zun
/ˈtriːzən/
The crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
Treason is the highest legal offense against the state; it requires a formal duty of allegiance to the country being betrayed.
The story behind the word. Coming from the Old French 'traison', which traces back to the Latin 'tradere', meaning 'to hand over'. Historically, it referred to the act of handing over a person or a city to an enemy.
Word relationships
- betrayal: Betrayal is a broad term for any broken trust, while treason is specifically the legal crime against one's country.
- allegiance: Allegiance is the formal duty of loyalty that treason violates.
Commonly confused with
- sedition: Treason is the actual act of betrayal or war; sedition is the speech or organization that incites such acts.
Word family
- treasonous (adjective): Involving or guilty of treason.
Collocations
- high treason
- commit treason
- accused of treason
Example sentences
- "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort." Legal definition in the United States Constitution.
Memory hook
Treason is when you hand over the 'TREASure' of your country's secrets. Handing over the keys to the kingdom.
When not to use
Do not use for minor disloyalties or personal betrayals; it is specifically a crime against a state.
Fun facts
- In English law, 'High Treason' was distinguished from 'Petty Treason' (the murder of a master by a servant).
Explore more words
betray, perfidy, allegiance, conspiracy, perfidious, sedition
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