Turncoat
/ˈtɝn.koʊt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A traitor; one who turns against a previous affiliation or allegiance.
"But some will cry Turncoat, and rip up old stories, / How I always pretended to be for the tories: […]"
- 2 a disloyal person who betrays or deserts their cause or religion or political party or friend etc. wordnet
Verb
- 1 To act as a turncoat; to betray
Example
More examples"Meddle in your own matters, you turncoat."
Etymology
A compound of turn + coat, reportedly derived from the sometime military practice of wearing uniform coats that were lined in material of a contrasting color, and which could be worn inside out to present a different appearance.