perfidie

perfidy, treachery

noun pehr-fee-DEE Rare

Usage Note

Perfidie is a formal literary noun denoting deliberate betrayal or deceitfulness. The related adjective perfide survives in the phrase la perfide Albion — an old French term for England viewed as untrustworthy. Its register is elevated; everyday speech prefers trahison.

Examples

"Sa perfidie a surpris tout le monde."

Natural Translation

His treachery surprised everyone.

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