Wandering Jew

noun

1. a legendary character condemned to roam without rest because he struck Christ on the day of the Crucifixion.

2. Also called inch plant. Also wandering Jew, Wandering-jew any of various trailing or creeping plants, as Zebrina pendula or Tradescantia fluminensis, having green or variegated leaves: a popular houseplant.

wandering Jew

¹

noun

1. any of several related creeping or trailing plants of tropical America, esp Tradescantia fluminensis and Zebrina pendula: family Commelinaceae

2. a similar creeping plant of the genus Commelina

Wandering Jew

²

noun

1. (in medieval legend) a character condemned to roam the world eternally because he mocked Christ on the day of the Crucifixion

Word History and Origins

Origin of Wandering Jew¹

First recorded in 1625–35