Judas

[ joo-duh s ]
/ ˈdʒu dəs /

noun

Also called Judas Iscariot. the disciple who betrayed Jesus. Mark 3:19.
a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.
Also called Saint Judas, Saint Jude. one of the 12 apostles (not Judas Iscariot). Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13; John 14:22.
a brother of James (and possibly of Jesus). Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3.
(usually lowercase) Also called judas hole. a peephole, as in an entrance door or the door of a prison cell.

adjective

(of an animal) used as a decoy to lead other animals to slaughter: A Judas goat led sheep into the abattoir.

OTHER WORDS FROM Judas

Ju·das·like, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for judas iscariot (1 of 2)

judas
/ (ˈdʒuːdəs) /

noun

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

Word Origin for judas

C19: after Judas Iscariot

British Dictionary definitions for judas iscariot (2 of 2)

Judas
/ (ˈdʒuːdəs) /

noun

New Testament the apostle who betrayed Jesus to his enemies for 30 pieces of silver (Luke 22:3–6, 47–48) Full name: Judas Iscariot
a person who betrays a friend; traitor
a brother or relative of James and also of Jesus (Matthew 13:55). This figure, Thaddaeus, and Jude were probably identical

adjective

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

Cultural definitions for judas iscariot

Judas Iscariot
[ (jooh-duhs i-skar-ee-uht) ]

The Apostle who betrayed Jesus to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Judas identified their victim by kissing him. The next day, driven by guilt, Judas hanged himself.

notes for Judas Iscariot

Figuratively, a “Judas” is a betrayer, especially one who betrays a friend.

notes for Judas Iscariot

A “Judas kiss” is an act of seeming friendship that conceals some treachery.