Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense peters, present participle petering, past tense, past participle petered
Phrasal verbs:
See peter out
Peter
See rob Peter to pay Paul
peter in British English1
(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
C19: of unknown origin
peter in British English2
(ˈpiːtə) bridge, whist
verb(intransitive)
1.
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
2.
the act of petering
Word origin
C20: perhaps a special use of peter1 (to fall off in power)
peter in British English3
(ˈpiːtə)
noun slang
1.
a safe, till, or cash box
2.
a prison cell
3.
the witness box in a courtroom
4. mainly US a slang word for penis
Word origin
C17 (meaning a case): from the name Peter
Peter in British English
(ˈpiːtə)
noun New Testament
1.
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
2.
either of two epistles traditionally ascribed to Peter (in full The First Epistle and The Second Epistle of Peter)
Peter in American English1
(ˈpitər)
noun
1.
a masculine name: dim. Pete: equiv. L. Petrus, Fr. Pierre, It. Pietro, Sp. Pedro, Russ. Pyotr
2. Bible
a.
(original name Simon) (died a.d. 64?); one of the twelve Apostles, a fisherman, to whom the Letters of Peter are ascribed: considered thefirst pope: his day is June 29
also Simon Peter or Saint Peter
b.
either of the two Letters of Peter
abbrev. Pe, Pet
Idioms:
rob Peter to pay Paul
Word origin
ME < LL(Ec) Petrus < Gr Petros (< petros, stone, petra, rock) used as transl. of Aram kēphā, rock
Peter in American English2
(ˈpitər)
1.
Peter I1672-1725; czar of Russia (1682-1725)
called the Great
2.
Peter II1923-70; king of Yugoslavia (1934-45): son of Alexander I
3.
Peter III1728-62; czar of Russia (1762): assassinated; succeeded by his wife, Catherine II
peter in American English1
(ˈpitər)
verb intransitive
US, Informal
to become gradually smaller, weaker, etc. and then cease or disappear