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In paragraph 4 of the article, the word "treacherous" is used in reference to the conditions that mine workers were exposed to. My definition of treacherous in this context would be "dangerous" or "hazardous." The context clues that helped determine this meaning are the descriptions of the working conditions, such as "dark, treacherous coal mines," "death traps," and "constant danger." These phrases suggest that the conditions were perilous and posed a threat to the workers.
Confirming this definition, a digital dictionary defines treacherous as "guilty of or involving betrayal or deception" or "hazardous because of presenting hidden or unpredictable dangers." In this case, the second definition aligns with the context clues provided in the paragraph, confirming that treacherous means dangerous or hazardous.