peter
1
[ pee-ter ]
/ ˈpi tər /
verb (used without object) peter out,
to diminish gradually and stop; dwindle to nothing: The hot water always peters out in the middle of my shower.
to tire; exhaust (usually used as a past participle): I'm petered out after that walk.
Origin of peter
1
1805–15, in sense “put an end to”; 1860–65
for def 1; origin uncertain
Words nearby peter
Definition for peter (2 of 7)
Origin of peter
2
First recorded in 1900–05; generic use of the proper name
Definition for peter (3 of 7)
peter
3
[ pee-ter ]
/ ˈpi tər /
noun Whist.
a signal for an echo.
Origin of peter
3
First recorded in 1935–40; from
blue peter
Definition for peter (4 of 7)
Peter
[ pee-ter ]
/ ˈpi tər /
noun
Also called Simon Peter. died a.d. 67?,
one of the 12 apostles and the reputed author of two of the Epistles.
either of these two Epistles in the New Testament, I Peter or II Peter.
a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter P.
a male given name.
Origin of Peter
Middle English; Old English
Petrus < Latin < Greek
Pétros stone, translation of Syriac
kēfā
Definition for peter (5 of 7)
Peter I
noun
the Great,1672–1725,
czar of Russia 1682–1725.
Peter Karageorgevich,1844–1921,
king of Serbia 1903–21.
Definition for peter (6 of 7)
Peter II
noun
1923–70,
king of Yugoslavia 1934–45.
Definition for peter (7 of 7)
Peter III
noun
1728–62,
czar of Russia 1762 (husband of Catherine II; father of Paul I).
Example sentences from the Web for peter
British Dictionary definitions for peter (1 of 6)
peter
1
/ (ˈpiːtə) /
verb
(intr; foll by out or away)
to fall (off) in volume, intensity, etc, and finally cease
the cash petered out in three months
Word Origin for peter
C19: of unknown origin
British Dictionary definitions for peter (2 of 6)
peter
2
/ (ˈpiːtə) bridge whist /
verb (intr)
to play a high card before a low one in a suit, usually a conventional signal of a doubleton holding or of strength in that suit
noun
the act of petering
Word Origin for peter
C20: perhaps a special use of
peter
1 (to fall off in power)
British Dictionary definitions for peter (3 of 6)
peter
3
/ (ˈpiːtə) /
noun slang
a safe, till, or cash box
a prison cell
the witness box in a courtroom
mainly US a slang word for penis
Word Origin for peter
C17 (meaning a case): from the name
Peter
British Dictionary definitions for peter (4 of 6)
Peter
/ (ˈpiːtə) /
noun New Testament
Saint. Also called: Simon Peter. died ?67 ad, a fisherman of Bethsaida, who became leader of the apostles and is regarded by Roman Catholics as the first pope; probably martyred at Rome. Feast day: June 29 or Jan 18
either of two epistles traditionally ascribed to Peter (in full The First Epistle and The Second Epistle of Peter)
British Dictionary definitions for peter (5 of 6)
Peter I
noun
known as Peter the Great. 1672–1725, tsar of Russia (1682–1725), who assumed sole power in 1689. He introduced many reforms in government, technology, and the western European ideas. He also acquired new territories for Russia in the Baltic and founded the new capital of St Petersburg (1703)
British Dictionary definitions for peter (6 of 6)
Peter III
noun
1728–62, grandson of Peter I and tsar of Russia (1762): deposed in a coup d'état led by his wife (later Catherine II); assassinated
Cultural definitions for peter
Peter
Chief among the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, he was a fisherman, originally named Simon (and often called Simon Peter). Jesus gave him the name Rock, of which “Peter” is a translation. Peter showed great faith but also exhibited great failings (see Get thee behind me, Satan). In the frightening hours before the Crucifixion, Peter three times denied being a follower of Jesus, just as Jesus had predicted he would. Nevertheless, Peter went on to become the leader of the early Christians (see also Christian) (see Pentecost), thus fulfilling another prophecy of Jesus, who had said of Peter, “Upon this rock I will build my church.... And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven.”
notes for Peter
Peter is often depicted holding keys.
Roman Catholics maintain a number of traditions about Peter: that he was the first of the
popes, for example, and that he was martyred at
Rome by being crucified upside down, because he refused to be crucified as Jesus had been.
notes for Peter
The great church of the
Vatican,
Saint Peter's Basilica, was later built on what was believed to be the site of his burial.