judas-coloured
Definition
Adjective: - Having a reddish or ginger colour: "judas-coloured" describes hair, especially a beard or hair, that is red or reddish in hue, typically associated with the traditional depiction of Judas Iscariot in art, who is often shown with red hair.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- He was a man with a judas-coloured beard, which made him easily recognizable in the crowd. (A beard that is reddish in colour.)
- The portrait showed a figure with judas-coloured hair, a common artistic convention for the traitor. (Reddish hair, as traditionally associated with Judas.)
Advanced Usage
- "judas-coloured" as a specific descriptor: This term is rarely used in modern English and is mostly found in historical or literary contexts, often to describe a physical trait that carries a negative or treacherous connotation due to its association with Judas Iscariot.
- The old manuscript described the villain as having judas-coloured locks, marking him as untrustworthy. (A literary use to emphasize a character's deceitful nature through hair colour.)
Variants and Related Words
- Judas (n): a person who betrays a friend or cause, named after the biblical figure.
- He was called a Judas for selling out his colleagues. (A betrayer.)
- Red-haired (adj): having red hair, a neutral term without the negative connotation of "judas-coloured".
- She is a red-haired woman. (Simply describing hair colour.)
Synonyms
- Reddish: slightly red in colour.
- Ginger: a light reddish-yellow colour, often used for hair.
- Auburn: a reddish-brown colour.
Related Idioms
- Judas kiss: an act of betrayal disguised as friendship.
- His offer of help was a Judas kiss, intended to ruin my reputation. (A treacherous act.)
Notes on Usage
- Historical and literary context: "judas-coloured" is an archaic or niche term. It is not used in everyday conversation and may be unfamiliar to many English speakers. It is most appropriate in discussions of art history, biblical imagery, or older literature.