Perfidy: meaning, definitions and examples

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perfidy

[ˈpəːfɪdi ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

act of betrayal

Perfidy is the act of betraying someone or something, especially by breaking a promise or trust. It involves deceit and treachery, often resulting in harm or damage to the betrayed party.

Synonyms

betrayal, deceit, disloyalty, treachery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perfidy	Use when describing a severe breach of trust, often used in a literary or historical context. The perfidy of the spy was revealed when he sold state secrets to the enemy
betrayal	Commonly used to describe the act of being disloyal or unfaithful, especially by someone trusted. Her friend's betrayal hurt her deeply as she had confided in her with all her secrets
treachery	Often describes a serious and usually shocking act of betrayal, implying danger or harm. The treachery of the general was exposed, leading to severe consequences for his actions
deceit	Used in situations where intentional dishonesty or trickery is involved. His deceit was uncovered when his alibi turned out to be a fabrication
disloyalty	Refers to a lack of loyalty or faithfulness to someone or something. His disloyalty was evident when he sided with the competitors against his own team

Examples of usage

He was shocked by the perfidy of his once trusted friend.
The perfidy of the company's CEO led to the downfall of the entire organization.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

deceptive behavior

Perfidy can also refer to deceptive behavior or dishonesty, especially in a political or social context. It involves the deliberate violation of trust or faith.

Synonyms

betrayal, deception, dishonesty, treachery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
perfidy	Used in formal or literary contexts to describe great treachery or betrayal of trust, typically involving breaking a promise or allegiance. The knight's perfidy towards the king led to war Their perfidy was revealed when they handed over secrets to the enemy
dishonesty	A straightforward term used to describe a lack of honesty or integrity, often in everyday contexts involving lies or deceit. His dishonesty about his qualifications got him fired The student's dishonesty was clear when they copied answers during the test
deception	Refers to the act of deceiving or misleading someone, which can occur in various contexts including personal, professional, and casual situations. Her deception was uncovered when the truth came out The company was fined for engaging in deception to sell faulty products
treachery	Emphasizes acts of betrayal and disloyalty, often used in formal or historical contexts. It implies a serious breach of trust. The history books are filled with stories of treachery and deceit Treachery among the ranks led to the downfall of the rebellion
betrayal	A general term often used in personal, emotional, or close relationships to describe an act of disloyalty or treachery. She felt deep betrayal when she found out her best friend had been lying to her His betrayal of their friendship was unforgettable

Examples of usage

The politician's perfidy was exposed during the corruption scandal.
His perfidy in business dealings earned him a reputation for untrustworthiness.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'perfidus,' meaning treacherous or deceitful.
The root 'fides' translates to faith or trust, highlighting its connection to betrayal.
The use of 'perfidy' in English dates back to the 15th century, reflecting long-standing themes of trust and betrayal in language.

Literature

In literature, characters often embody perfidy, which serves as a plot twist or moral lesson.
Shakespeare's plays frequently explore themes of perfidy, illustrating the destructive power of betrayal among friends and lovers.
Classic novels, such as 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' showcase how perfidious actions can lead to revenge and tragic outcomes.

Psychology

Studies in psychology indicate that betrayal can have lasting emotional impacts, affecting trust and relationship dynamics.
Research shows that people who have experienced perfidy often struggle with forgiveness and future trust issues.
The betrayal trauma theory explains how unexpected disloyalty can lead to feelings of confusion and deep hurt.

History

Throughout history, there have been many infamous betrayals that changed the course of events, such as the betrayal of Julius Caesar by Brutus.
World War II saw many instances of perfidy, wherein allies were deceived, impacting military strategies and outcomes.
The concept of perfidy has also been legally defined in wartime scenarios, where deceitful acts can breach international laws.

Pop Culture

In film and television, stories often revolve around betrayals, with perfidious characters creating tension and drama.
Popular shows like 'Game of Thrones' depict various characters acting with perfidy, emphasizing the unpredictability of trust.
Perfidy is a common trope in mystery novels, where the true culprit often turns out to be a trusted ally.

Translations

Translations of the word "perfidy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perfidia

🇮🇳 विश्वासघात

🇩🇪 Treulosigkeit

🇮🇩 pengkhianatan

🇺🇦 зрада

🇵🇱 perfidia

🇯🇵 裏切り

🇫🇷 perfidie

🇪🇸 perfidia

🇹🇷 hainlik

🇰🇷 배신

🇸🇦 خيانة

🇨🇿 zrada

🇸🇰 zrada

🇨🇳 背叛

🇸🇮 izdaja

🇮🇸 svik

🇰🇿 сатқындық

🇬🇪 ღალატი

🇦🇿 xəyanət

🇲🇽 perfidia

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,352, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
23349 chandelier
23350 enquiring
23351 autoclave
23352 perfidy
23353 whomever
23354 saviour
23355 denizens
...