Perfidy
/ˈpɜːr.fɪ.di/noun
Deliberate breach of trust or faith; treachery.
Did you know?Perfidy comes through Latin from a root tied to faith itself, which is why it feels less like a simple lie and more like a sacred bond being shattered.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bʰeydʰ-
“to trust, persuade, or have faith”
Latin
Latin
fides
“faith, trust, pledged word”
Latin
Latin
perfidia
“faithlessness, treachery”
Old French
Old French
perfidie
“treachery, deceit”
Middle English
English
perfidy
“treachery, violation of trust”
Modern English
English
perfidy
“deliberate breach of trust or faith”