judas tree

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

small tree of the eastern Mediterranean having abundant purplish-red flowers growing on old wood directly from stems and appearing before the leaves: widely cultivated in mild regions; wood valuable for veneersSynonyms: love tree Circis siliquastrum

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Judas \Ju"das\, n. The disciple who betrayed Christ. Hence: A treacherous person; one who betrays under the semblance of friendship. -- a. Treacherous; betraying. [1913 Webster]

Judas hole, a peephole or secret opening for spying.

Judas kiss, (a) a deceitful and treacherous kiss. (b) an act appearing to be an act of friendship, which is in fact harmful to the recipient.

Judas tree (Bot.), a leguminous tree of the genus Cercis, with pretty, rose-colored flowers in clusters along the branches. Judas is said to have hanged himself on a tree of this genus (Cercis Siliquastrum). Cercis Canadensis and Cercis occidentalis are the American species, and are called also redbud. [1913 Webster]