Judas tree

Judas tree

n.

See redbud.

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[From the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on such a tree.]

Judas tree

n

(Plants) small Eurasian leguminous tree, Cercis siliquastrum, with pinkish-purple flowers that bloom before the leaves appear: popularly thought to be the tree on which Judas hanged himself. See also redbud

Ju′das tree`

n.

1. a purple-flowered Eurasian tree, Cercis siliquastrum, of the legume family, supposed to be the kind of tree upon which Judas hanged himself.

2. any of various other trees of the same genus, as the redbud.

[1660–70]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Judas tree - 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 veneers Circis siliquastrum, love tree Cercis, genus Cercis - deciduous shrubs and trees of eastern Asia, southern Europe and the United States angiospermous tree, flowering tree - any tree having seeds and ovules contained in the ovary