Judas

[joo-duhs]

noun

1. Also called Judas Iscariot. the disciple who betrayed Jesus in the New Testament.

2. a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.

3. Also called Saint Judas,. Also called Saint Jude. one of the 12 apostles of Jesus (not Judas Iscariot).

4. (in the Bible) a brother of James (and possibly of Jesus).

5. Also called judas hole. Usually judas a peephole, as in an entrance door or the door of a prison cell.

adjective

1. (of an animal) used as a decoy to lead other animals to slaughter.

   A Judas goat led sheep into the abattoir.

Judas

¹

/ ˈdʒuːdəs /

noun

1. Full name: Judas Iscariot. New Testament the apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3–6, 47–48)

2. a person who betrays a friend; traitor

3. a brother or relative of James and also of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). This figure, Thaddaeus, and Jude were probably identical

adjective

1. denoting an animal or bird used to lure others of its kind or lead them to slaughter

judas

²

/ ˈdʒuːdəs /

noun

1. Also called: judas window.  judas hole. (sometimes capital) a peephole or a very small window in a door

Other Word Forms

• Judaslike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judas¹

C19: after Judas Iscariot