I. ˈjüdəs noun
( -es )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: after Judas Iscariot, apostle that betrayed Jesus
1. usually capitalized : traitor ; especially : one that betrays under the pretense of friendship
some Judas … gave the story to the one-party press — G.W.Johnson
2. or judas window also judas-hole sometimes capitalized J : a peephole usually constituted by an aperture resembling a window with a sliding panel and used chiefly for inspection (as in the door of a house or a prison cell)
the guard sprang to reconnoiter through a judas — New York Sun
peering through the broken judas in the door of the cell — John Hersey
after a considerable time a judas was opened — W.S.Maugham
the judas window of the cell door slammed down — Dickey Chapelle
II. adjective
Usage: usually capitalized
: of, relating to, or being an animal used as a decoy or to lead other animals to slaughter
a Judas duck
as sheep are led by a Judas goat — James Reach