Peter's pence
or Peter pence
- an annual tax or tribute, originally of a penny, paid by certain English property owners to the papal see until the Reformation.
- a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics.
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Origin of Peter's pence
1175–1225; Middle English Peteres peni (singular)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Peter's pence
Peter pence
- an annual tax, originally of one penny, formerly levied for the maintenance of the Papal See: abolished by Henry VIII in 1534
- a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics in many countries for the same purpose
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Word Origin
C13: referring to St Peter, considered as the first pope
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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