Words / C2

PURF-id-ee/ˈpɜːfɪdi/

Perfidy is deceitful betrayal of trust (literary / formal): an act of perfidy, the perfidy of an ally. Perfidious (already in the dictionary) is the adjective. Betrayal (already in the dictionary) is everyday breaking of trust; to betray (already in the dictionary) is the verb, and duplicity (already in the dictionary) is deceitful double-dealing. Loyal and faithful (already in the dictionary) are the opposite flavour. Tidying a raw file is not licence to drop the n.

Meaning

Deceitful betrayal of trust (literary / formal).

Examples

• “Perfidy with the raw file is not “tidying”; keep the n.”
• “Perfidious is the adjective (already in C2). Betrayal is breaking someone’s trust (already in B1). To betray is to be disloyal (already in B2). Duplicity is deceitful double-dealing (already in C2). Loyal is faithful and supportive (already in B1). Faithful is loyal, or true as a copy (already in B2) — the contrast. A dated archive can still be short. A wipe that never keeps the cell is a hole. Keep the number; then the adjectives.”

Good to know

Treacherous betrayal (formal). Adjective: perfidious (already in C2). Everyday: betrayal / betray (already in this dictionary). Close: duplicity (already in C2). Contrast: loyal / faithful (already in this dictionary). Tidying ≠ deleting an n.

Near in meaning

treachery, betrayal, duplicity, deceit

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