Tréa'son, n.

(tré'/zn), n. [O. Fr. traïson, traïsson, N. Fr. trahison, Pr. traazo, tracio, trassio, traicio, Sp. traicion, Lat. traditio, from Fr. trahir, O. Fr. trair, Pr. trahir, trair, Lat. tradere, to give up, surrender, betray. See TRADITION.] The offense of attempting to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance, or of betraying the state into the hands of a foreign power; disloyalty; treachery.

In monarchies, the killing of the king, or an attempt to take his life, is treason. In England, to imagine or compass the death of the king, or of the prince, or of the queen consort, or of the heir apparent of the crown, is high treason, as are many other offenses created by statute. In the United States, treason is confined to the actual levying of war against the United States, or an adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort.

Petit treason. See PETIT.