Judas

[ joo-duhs ]

noun

1. Also called Judas Iscariot. the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Mark 3:19.
2. a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.
3. Also called Saint Judas, one of the 12 apostles (not Judas Iscariot). Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13; John 14:22.
4. a brother of James (and possibly of Jesus). Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3.
5. (usually lowercase) Also called judas hole. 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. New Testament the apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3–6, 47–48) Full nameJudas Iscariot
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. sometimes capital a peephole or a very small window in a door Also calledjudas windowjudas hole

Other Words From

• Judas·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Judas¹

C19: after Judas Iscariot

Example Sentences

I knew that then, for projects like Judas and others, we would be coming from a place of empowerment and a seat at the table alongside our studio partners, to make sure the movies were told in the way we wanted to see them made.

From Time

In fact, the Michigan congressman went so far as to liken them to Judas Iscariot.

From The Daily Beast

Well, it was based on an amalgam of bands—Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, and Van Halen.

From The Daily Beast

The song left a long paper trail, and discovery of the 24-track proved far easier than other Judas Priest masters.

From The Daily Beast

Longstanding tradition in Venezuela calls for “Judas burning” on Easter Sunday.

From The Daily Beast

According to an interview with Rob Halford, lead singer of Judas Priest, in the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, not well.

From The Daily Beast

John and Judas became the good and evil Wandering Jews of mediæval folklore.

From Project Gutenberg

A veritable Judas, preparing to forswear his people and their cause, willing to lie and deny his participation.

From Project Gutenberg

And they approached even as far as Bethoron: and Judas went forth to meet him, with a small company.

From Project Gutenberg

And the fear of Judas, and of his brethren, and the dread of them, fell upon all the nations round about them.

From Project Gutenberg

And Judas heard of it, and rose up, he and the valiant men, to attack the king's forces that were in Emmaus.

From Project Gutenberg