Betrayals

/bɪˈtreɪəlz/ noun

Definition

Plural of betrayal; acts of violating someone's trust or being disloyal to them.

Etymology

From Old French 'betrayen' (to deliver up, reveal), combining 'be-' (cause to be) and 'traye' (deliver/hand over). The meaning evolved from simply 'handing over' to the emotional violation of breaking trust.

Kelly Says

Betrayal hits so hard psychologically because it violates two things at once—the actual broken agreement and the shattered belief that someone was trustworthy. Neuroscience shows betrayal activates pain centers in the brain almost identically to physical injury.

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