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

Example Sentences

Coincidentally, his breakout role came in 2016 when he landed the co-lead as Judas in “Jesus Christ Superstar” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre.

From Los Angeles Times

In ‘Jesus Christ Superstar,’ the conflict between Cynthia Erivo’s all-seeing, all-feeling Jesus and Adam Lambert’s competitive yet remorseful Judas was thrillingly brought to life in their different yet wholly compatible musical styles.

From Los Angeles Times

The headliners, Erivo as Jesus and Adam Lambert as Judas, certainly have sizable fan bases.

From Los Angeles Times

But we’ve never seen one like this before: A Judas kiss that went straight to the heart and shattered their deepest convictions.

From Salon

Another version of the band included Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan and KK Downing from Judas Priest, another of the West Midlands' original metal heroes.

From BBC