PETER • DICCIONARIO INGLES.COM • Definition of Peter

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/pˈitər/ Listen

proper noun

Peter n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the twelve apostles of Christ.

Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers.

Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. (Cant, U.S.)

Peter pence, or Peter's pence.

(a)

An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St. Peter's day; called also Rome scot, and hearth money.

(b)

In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope.

Peter's fish (Zool.), a haddock; so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots.

verb

Peter v. i. (past & past part. petered; pres. part. petering) To become depleted; to run out; to fail; used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out. (Slang, U.S.)

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Etymology of 'Peter'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Peter" Quotes from Famous Books

... of the house of Savoy in 1033, and Count Peter, whom they nicknamed Little Charlemagne for his prowess and his conquests, built the present castle, after which the barons of the Pays de Vaud and the Duke of Cophingen (whoever he may have been) besieged Peter in it. Perhaps they might have taken him. But the wine was so good, and the ...

— A Little Swiss Sojourn • W. D. Howells

... world-old Fair of Vanity Since Bunyan's day has grown discreeter No more it flocks in crowds to see A blazing Paul or Peter. ...

— Dreamthorp - A Book of Essays Written in the Country • Alexander Smith

... also we will agree with the Commission—that we ought not to rob Peter to pay Paul, and take water to a distance which other people close at hand may want. Look at the map of England and southern Scotland; and see for yourself what is just, according to geography and nature. There are four mountain-ranges; four ...

— Health and Education • Charles Kingsley

... genuine peter dust!" he exclaimed exultantly. "Why, we can make powder here as long as ...

— The Young Trailers - A Story of Early Kentucky • Joseph A. Altsheler

... south, to the South," cried Peter Martyr, "for the riches of the Aequinoctiall they that seek riches must go, not into the cold and frozen north." It was a judgment justified in the event. Francisco Pizarro, having verified the report of rich ...

— Beginnings of the American People • Carl Lotus Becker

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