Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/bɪˈreɪ/

Definitions

• To reveal, disclose, or expose something hidden or secret.
• To make known or confess (something) openly.
• (Archaic) To betray or inform against.

Usage Examples

• The detective’s clever questions bewry the criminal's secrets.
• Her letter bewried the hidden truth about his past.
• He was accused of bewraying the secret to the authorities.

Etymology

The word 'bewray' is derived from Middle English 'bewrayen,' which means 'to betray' or 'to reveal.' It comes from Old French 'braier' (to cry out) and 'bewrayen' in the sense of 'to make known or reveal.' It was historically used to refer to revealing or exposing secrets, often in the context of betrayal.

Synonyms

• Reveal
• Disclose
• Expose
• Unveil
• Confess
• Divulge

Antonyms

• Conceal
• Hide
• Suppress
• Secrete
• Keep quiet

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In British English, 'bewray' is pronounced with a softer 'r' sound, while in American English, it may be pronounced with a more distinct 'r.'
• In Southern English dialects, the pronunciation may blend the 'w' and 'r' sounds, making it sound more like 'bewray' as one syllable.

Historical Usage

Historically, 'bewray' was used in the 16th and 17th centuries as a verb meaning 'to expose a secret,' particularly in the context of betrayal. It has been used in literature to describe characters who disclose confidential information, often for personal gain. The term has largely fallen out of use in modern English, replaced by 'reveal' or 'betray.'

Cultural Nuances

The term 'bewray' often carries a negative connotation in historical contexts, particularly relating to betrayal. In some literary works, 'bewray' is associated with treachery or the act of revealing confidential or secret matters. Today, it is rarely used outside of formal or literary contexts, though it maintains an air of drama and secrecy.

More Information

'Bewray' is an archaic verb that has all but disappeared from modern English usage. It once played a significant role in literature, especially during periods when the disclosure of secrets or the revealing of hidden truths was a central theme. While the word is not commonly used in everyday conversation, it is occasionally found in historical and literary texts, often evoking the drama of revealing something concealed.