Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun One who traitorously switches allegiance.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun One who “turns his coat”—that is, forsakes his party or principles.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun One who forsakes his party or his principles; a renegade; an apostate; a defector to the enemy.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
traitor ; one whoturns against a previousaffiliation orallegiance .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion or political party or friend etc.
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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The very thing Specter sought to avoid by becoming a turncoat is now coming to pass.
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Hobbesian philosophy seemed to have been on target, since offering Indian indigenous leaders the reward and opportunity to engage in turncoat behavior toward their own people managed indeed to establish collaborative efforts with British colonialists.
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You will be known as a turncoat who supported York.
The Red Queen Philippa Gregory 2010
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Does anyone know why this turncoat is still allowed to live in Washington D.C. He did nothing to help Al Gore 8 years ago and he only here to play get back to the democrats.
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In Worldwar II, they called turncoat by a different name and the punishment wasn't very nice.
Crooks and Liars 2008
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The Wales ace has become a firm favourite with Swans supporters since arriving at the Liberty - but it's left him being labelled a turncoat by Cardiff fans.
WalesOnline - Home 2010
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I tried calling turncoat Snowe and it was disconnected.
Hot Air » Top Picks 2009
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Gotti shocked observers on Thursday by launching into a furious tirade against ex-pal John Alite, calling the turncoat mobster a "fag," a "punk" and a "dog" after Alite, on his way out of the courtroom, turned to Gotti and said: "You got something to say to me?"
NY Post: News 2009
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The "turncoat" was an informer named Dickenson, from
Heroes or Villains? 2010
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In his private diary, Mr. Reagan noted that the magazine labeled him a "turncoat" and said conservative activist Richard Viguerie sent him a copy of the magazine along with a letter.
Obama Reclaims Some Independence Gerald F. Seib 2010
mkluver1 commented on the word turncoat
I've used this word many of times referring to my ex-best friend
October 1, 2010