Several readers have asked me to clarify the meanings of "treason," "sedition" and other terms related to the recent assault on the United States Capitol.

Treason, which derives from the Latin "tradere" (to hand over, betray) denotes more severity than sedition does. To commit treason means to commit hostile acts to overthrow one's government or to aid its enemies in committing such acts. The U.S. Constitution states this explicit definition: "Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort." Treason can involve everything from taking violent action against one's country to attempting to kill its officials to assisting foreign forces through sabotage or spying.

By contrast, sedition, derived from the Latin "seditio," (a going apart, separation), refers to inciting resistance to, or insurrection against, one's own country. This could involve making speeches or writing pamphlets encouraging violent actions or planning or organizing such actions. Because sedition is limited to inciting hostile acts, rather than actually committing them, it's considered a less serious crime than treason.

Here are concise definitions of terms for open actions taken against authority, in increasing order of intensity:

An uprising is a brief, limited and usually unsuccessful outbreak of defiance. A rebellion describes more formidable resistance; it's usually aimed at evading an oppressive power or winning concessions from it.

Both a revolt and an insurrection seek to overthrow and destroy an oppressive power and achieve a revolution. An insurgency is an ongoing attempt to subvert political authority, often by activities in remote areas.

"Putsch," a German Swiss dialect term meaning "thrust," is a secretly plotted and suddenly executed attempt to overthrow a government.

A revolution is a successful rebellion, insurrection or insurgency that leads to a major change in government or policies.

If the intent of those who attacked the U.S. Capitol was only to win concessions from the government, their actions were a rebellion, but if their intent was to overthrow the government, their actions could be considered a revolt, an insurrection or, if secretly plotted, a putsch.

Insurrection, which, to my mind, connotes more intensity than revolt and less premeditation than putsch, is probably the most accurate term for the Capitol assault.

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Connecticut, invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via email to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.

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