The same sound may have four different meanings in Chinese — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. We should use words in ways that are understandable and fair. Do we talk past each other because we use different language, even when we all use English?

Traitor

According to Merriam-Webster:

  1. one who betrays another’s trust or is false to an obligation or duty
  2. one who commits treason

According to the Cambridge Dictionary:

a person who gives away or sells secrets of his or her country, or someone who is not loyal to particular beliefs or friends

Treason

According to Merriam-Webster, treason is:

  1. the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign’s family
  2. the betrayal of trust 

“U.S. Constitution, Article. III. Section. 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”

You can see how misunderstandings can erupt. Most Americans have only actually read or heard the constitutional definition of treason. It is quite narrow but potentially can carry a death sentence. Other Americans use the term’s more expansive meaning.

Wives of English kings committed adultery could be charged with treason and beheaded after a show trial. No wonder the founding fathers and mothers wanted a narrower legal definition. The broader definition of “traitor” includes traitor to one’s own beliefs, but not a traitor to the beliefs of others.

Loyalty runs both ways. In the English feudal system, one had to be loyal to the king and various aristocrats. But the superior (liege lord) had a duty of protection to those from whom loyalty was expected.

Gaming

According to Merriam-Webster, gaming is:

  1. the practice or activity of playing games for stakes : gambling
  2. the practice or activity of playing games (such as board games, card games, or video games)

Gambling

According to Merriam-Webster, gambling is:

the practice or activity of betting : the practice of risking money or other stakes in a game or bet

And Cornell Law Dictionary says:

Gambling is when a person bets or risks something of value (like money) based on a chance outcome that is at least partially out of their control or influence, with the understanding that they will either gain increased value or lose their original value determined by the specific outcome. Common forms of gambling include lotteries, sports betting, and casino games – as well as other table games. Gambling is often subject to state legislation that limits the means and types of gambling and who and when and where gambling can take place, and otherwise regulates the activity.

Gamblers like to call their activity “gaming.” The term “gaming” also can encompass chess, Go, Monopoly or even “Chutes & Ladders” where the prize is bragging rights, fun, play money, or a nominal penny. Modern gambling, such as sports betting or video poker, is intentionally designed with the help of neuropsychiatrists to be addictive and to take all your money over repetitive bets.

“Gambling” should never be called “gaming” unless one intends to deceive.

Amnesty

According to Merriam-Webster, amnesty is:

  1. the act of an authority (such as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals

While Cornell Law Dictionary defines amnesty as:

To grant amnesty is to grant a pardon to those who have committed an offense . Under immigration law , amnesty is a governmental pardon for a person or group of persons who violated policies related to immigration. Immigration amnesty would include the government forgiving individuals for using forged/false documentation to gain employment in the U.S. and to remain in the country, and would allow illegal immigrants or undocumented immigrant aliens to gain permanent residency in the United States.

For example, through the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 , the U.S. government provided amnesty for all undocumented aliens present in the country who had arrived prior to January 1, 1982.

[Last reviewed in January of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

And Cambridge Dictionary defines it as:

  1. a decision by a government that allows political prisoners to go free
  2. a fixed period of time during which people are not punished for committing a particular crime  

“President Jimmy Carter granted amnesty to draft evaders in 1977. Specifically, on January 21, 1977, he issued Proclamation 4483, which granted pardons for violations of the Selective Service Act related to the Vietnam War. This pardon covered those who evaded the draft between August 4, 1964, and March 28, 1973.” (AI summary) 

The actual meaning of amnesty does not imply the one pardoned has to pay fines, penalties, or suffer further detention or delay. The word is carelessly used to apply it to proposed conditions for naturalization.

DEAR READERS

Send your nomination of words that confuse policy to [email protected]. This is the fourth installment in a series. Parts I, II, and III explore corruption, liberal/conservative/ progressive, legalize/decriminalize, nonprofit, bipartisan, democracy/republic, forgive, mandate, fascism, and marxist. See www.paulstam.info.