Judasn.

Etymology: < (i) Judas, the name of the disciple who betrayed Jesus in exchange for thirty pieces of silver (compare Iscariot n.), and its etymon (ii) post-classical Latin Judas, the name of this disciple (Vulgate; Hellenistic Greek Ἰούδας, Hebrew yĕhūḏāh Judah), also used to denote a wooden holder for a paschal candle, as well as a candle intended to be affixed to this (both from 14th cent. in British sources).Foreign-language parallels. Compare Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French, French judas traitor (c1174), peephole (1788), in Anglo-Norman also piece of wood painted like a candle (late 14th cent. or earlier). Specific senses. In senses 1a and 1b, the wooden clapper and the piece of wood painted to resemble a candle were probably so named because they are not a real bell or a real candle, just as Judas Iscariot was not a disciple faithful to his calling. The use in sense 1a is not paralleled in French. In Judas candle n. at Compounds 2a in its specific sense ‘the fifteenth candle placed at the top of the hearse for the offices of Tenebrae’ (compare quot. 1861 for Judas candle n.), the candle may be so named because it differed from the other fourteen candles on the hearse, all other candles being made of unbleached wax, and perhaps also with reference to the fact that the first office of Tenebrae was celebrated on Wednesday of Holy Week, the day when Jesus was betrayed by Judas. It is unclear whether the following is to be taken as showing the Latin word, or as an (apparently otherwise unattested) instance of the Anglo-Norman or Middle English word, in sense ‘Judas candle’:1430–1 in H. E. Salter Churchwardens' Accts. St. Michael's Oxf. (1933) 26 xvii lib. noue cere de nouo empte ad xiii Judas. The personal name. Hebrew yĕhūḏāh (English Judah ) is first attested in the Old Testament and Hebrew Scriptures as the name of one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 29:35, etc.), and subsequently as a frequent male name among Jews. Notable bearers of the name include the Jewish patriot Judas Maccabaeus (see Maccabee n.) and two of the disciples of Jesus, Judas Iscariot and the apostle who is usually called Jude in English (to avoid confusion or association with his namesake), but who is usually identified with Thaddeus. The name Judas is attested in English contexts from the Old English period onwards (in Old English and Middle English as Iudas, Judas), chiefly with reference to one of the biblical characters (frequently to Judas Iscariot). The infamy of the latter ensured that the name was rarely, if ever, used as a personal name, although since the Reformation the form Jude has been in use.