bewray

/bɪˈɹeɪ/

Etymology

From Middle English bewraien, bewreyen, biwreyen, from Old English *bewrēġan, from Proto-Germanic *biwrōgijaną (“to speak about; tell on; inform of”). Cognate with Old Frisian biwrōgja (“to disclose, reveal”), Dutch bewroegen (“to blame; accuse”), Middle Low German bewrȫgen (“to accuse; complain about; punish”), Old High German biruogen (“to disclose, reveal”), Modern German berügen (“to defraud”).

bewray means to accuse; malign; speak evil of. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 85 out of 100.

Why this word is great

BEWRAY — [Verb] To reveal or disclose something, especially inadvertently or to one's discredit. From Middle English bewraien, from Old English *bewrēġan (be- "thoroughly" + wrēġan "to accuse, reveal"), from Proto-Germanic *biwrōgijaną ("to speak about, tell on"). Unlike "divulge," which implies a deliberate unburdening, or "betray," which centers on the breach of loyalty itself, to bewray is to let the secret slip through the crack in one's composure—the revelation is the treachery made manifest. It is the telltale tremor in a carefully steady hand, the scent of another's perfume lingering on a collar, or the single incriminating document left gleaming on a desktop by a hurried, guilty exit. Every mask, however well-fitted, has its fatal seam.

verb

To accuse; malign; speak evil of.
To reveal, divulge, or make (something) known; disclose.“His countenance bewraies he is displeasd.”
To reveal, divulge, or make (something) known; disclose.; To reveal or disclose and show the presence or true character of, especially if unintentionally or incidentally, or else if perfidiously, prejudicially, or to one's discredit.“He tooke hir fast betwéene his armes, and not without his shame, Bewrayed plainly what he was and wherefore that he came.”
To reveal, divulge, or make (something) known; disclose.; To expose or rat out (someone).“And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.”
To reveal, divulge, or make (something) known; disclose.; To expose to harm.“Though thou deseruest hardly at my hands, Yet neuer shall these lips bewray thy life.”
To reveal, divulge, or make (something) known; disclose.; To expose (a deception).“They place affection by times, by pollicy, by appoyntment, if they frowne, who dares call them vnconstant, if bewray secrets, who will tearme them vntrue, if fall to other loues, who trembles not, if he call them vnfaithfull.”