peter

¹ American  

[pee-ter] / ˈpi tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to diminish gradually and stop; dwindle to nothing; gradually come to an end (usually followed by out oraway ): The hearings petered to an inevitable conclusion.

   The criticism seems to have petered out.

   The hearings petered to an inevitable conclusion.

2. to tire; become exhausted (usually followed byout ).

   I began to peter out after walking about 2 miles.

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peter ² American  

[pee-ter] / ˈpi tər /

noun

Slang: Vulgar.

1. penis.

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peter ³ American  

[pee-ter] / ˈpi tər /

noun

Whist.

1. a signal for an echo.

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Peter ⁴ American  

[pee-ter] / ˈpi tər /

noun

1. Also called Simon Peter.  died a.d. 67?, one of the 12 apostles and the reputed author of two of the Epistles.

2. either of these two Epistles in the New Testament, I Peter or II Peter.

3. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter P.

4. a male given name.

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peter ¹ British  

/ ˈpiːtə /

noun

1. a safe, till, or cash box

2. a prison cell

3. the witness box in a courtroom

4. a slang word for penis

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Peter ² British  

/ ˈpiːtə /

noun

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 )

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peter ³ British  

/ ˈpiːtə /

verb

1. (intr; foll by out or away) to fall (off) in volume, intensity, etc, and finally cease

   the cash petered out in three months

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peter ⁴ British  

/ ˈpiːtə /

verb

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

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noun

1. the act of petering

Peter Cultural  

1. 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.”

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Discover More

The great church of the Vatican, Saint Peter's Basilica, was later built on what was believed to be the site of his burial.

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.

Etymology

Origin of peter¹

First recorded in 1845–50; origin uncertain

Origin of peter²

First recorded in 1870–75; generic use of the proper name

Origin of peter³

First recorded in 1885–90; from blue peter

Origin of Peter⁴

Middle English; Old English Petrus < Latin < Greek Pétros stone, translation of Syriac kēfā

Example Sentences

Many of those who have yanked their business dealings from California—including Peter Thiel and David Sacks—still own homes in the state but have transferred their financial holdings to other locales in a bid to protect their money.

From MarketWatch

Peter Prinsley, a consultant doctor and MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket, organised the Labour letter.

From BBC

Jack O’Connell, Lola Kirke and Peter Dreimanis — the actors who terrorized the juke joint as bloodthirsty vampires in the movie — also snaked their way onto the stage.

From Los Angeles Times

A guarded police cordon was set up on Great Peter Street, just off Horseferry Road, following the incident, and forensics officers also attended the scene.

From BBC

Former Rangers striker Peter Lovenkrands - who won two league titles during his time at Ibrox - says that is all that matters at this stage of the season.

From BBC