Judas

[ joo-duhs ]

noun

1. Also called Ju·das Is·car·i·ot [joo, -d, uh, s i-, skar, -ee-, uh, t]. the disciple who betrayed Jesus in the New Testament.
2. a person treacherous enough to betray a friend; traitor.
3. Also called Saint Judas, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus (not Judas Iscariot).
4. (in the Bible) a brother of James (and possibly of Jesus).
5. Usually judas. Also called judas 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

The hunting veteran said he felt their way was the best way of "keeping tradition alive", but admitted the "older generation" see him as "a Judas" who has "sold out".

From BBC

The success of Get Out propelled Kaluuya to global fame, leading to roles in Black Panther and an Oscar-winning performance in Judas and the Black Messiah.

From BBC

“He is surely too ashamed to face any of us. Judas Iscariot would have a warmer reception,” said Terra Vance, an Appalachian activist who genealogy records show shares some ancestors with the politician.

From Los Angeles Times

“A fate I wouldn’t wish on Judas himself.”

From Literature

“The guy had a trajectory Judas Iscariot would have envied.”

From Seattle Times