treason

Where does the word "treason" come from? It comes from Latin traditio, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Treason’s story begins in Latin: traditio meant “handing over.” From 'tradere', to hand over, also the root of 'tradition' and 'traitor'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as traison. Handing someone over to their enemies. It reached English by 1200s as treason. English law defined high treason in 1351. Today, treason means the crime of betraying one's country.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient traditio "handing over", from 'tradere', to hand over, also the root of 'tradition' and 'traitor'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval traison "betrayal", handing someone over to their enemies.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s treason "betrayal of a ruler", English law defined high treason in 1351.