judas-hole
Definition
- Noun:
- A small hole in a door: "judas-hole" refers to a small opening, often covered by a sliding panel or grille, in a door or wall, through which one can observe people on the other side without being seen.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old manor had a judas-hole in the main entrance, allowing the butler to inspect visitors before opening the door. (A small hole for discreet observation.)
- Prison cells often feature a judas-hole for guards to check on inmates. (An observation hole in a security setting.)
Advanced Usage
- "to look through a judas-hole": to use the small opening to observe secretly.
- She peered through the judas-hole to see who was knocking at the late hour. (She used the observation hole to identify the visitor.)
Variants and Related Words
Judas (n): a person who betrays a trust; also, a name for a small observation hole (shortened form of "judas-hole").
- The spy used a judas in the wall to monitor the meeting. (A small observation hole.)
Judas window (n): another term for a judas-hole, especially in architectural contexts.
- The castle's judas window allowed the guard to see the courtyard unseen. (A small window for secret viewing.)
Synonyms
Peephole: a small hole in a door for looking through.
- The hotel room had a peephole to check the hallway. (A common modern equivalent.)
Spyhole: a hole for secretly watching others.
- The detective used a spyhole in the wall to observe the suspect. (A hole for surveillance.)
Related Idioms
- Judas kiss: a betrayal disguised as an act of friendship (from the biblical story of Judas Iscariot).
- His offer of help was a judas kiss, as he later sabotaged the project. (A deceptive act of betrayal.)
Note: The word "judas-hole" is derived from the biblical figure Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus with a kiss, implying secret observation or betrayal. It is an older term, less common in modern English, where "peephole" is more frequently used.