potter's field


noun (sometimes initial capital letters)

a piece of ground reserved as a burial place for strangers and the friendless poor. Matt. 27:7.

Origin of potter's field

First recorded in 1520–30

British Dictionary definitions for potter's field

potter's field

noun

US a cemetery where the poor or unidentified are buried at the public expense
New Testament the land bought by the Sanhedrin with the money paid for the betrayal of Jesus (which Judas had returned to them) to be used as a burial place for strangers and the friendless poor (Acts 1:19; Matthew 27:7)