treasonable, a.
(ˈtriːz(ə)nəb(ə)l)
[f. treason n. + -able.]
Of the nature of treason; characteristic of or involving treason; perfidious, treacherous. (orig. Sc.)
| 1375 Barbour Bruce v. 550 Þis tratour ay Had in his thocht..How he mycht best bring till ending Þis tresonabill vndirtaking. c 1470 Henry Wallace xi. 829 Be this tresonabill concord Schyr Jhon suld be off all the Lennox lord. 1546 Reg. Privy Council Scot. I. 32 The tressonabill slauchter of umquhile David Cardinale Archbischop. 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. x. (S.T.S.) II. 402 Thir trasonable trahitouris. 1634 Documents agst. Prynne (Camden) 27 In a most infamous, daungerous, and treasonable waye. 1675 tr. Camden's Hist. Eliz. an. 1601. 625 The Earl of Essex..had accused him as an Instigatour of him to this treasonable Attempt. 1741 Richardson Pamela (1824) I. 110 So, Pamela, we have seized, it seems, your treasonable papers? 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages viii. iii. (1819) III. 233 Their participation in a treasonable conspiracy being manifest. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xvii. IV. 18 The treasonable packet had been found in his bosom. |
Hence ˈtreasonableness, treasonable quality or character.
| 1679 Jenison's Popish Plot Pref. 8 Treasonableness in point of Loyalty. 1727 in Bailey vol. II. |