Peter's pence
Americannoun
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an annual tax or tribute, originally of a penny, paid by certain English property owners to the papal see until the Reformation.
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a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics.
noun
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an annual tax, originally of one penny, formerly levied for the maintenance of the Papal See: abolished by Henry VIII in 1534
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a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics in many countries for the same purpose
Etymology
Origin of Peter's pence
1175–1225; Middle English Peteres peni (singular)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The gap has been met by "Peter's pence," the aid offering from churches around the world, and other gifts.
From Time Magazine Archive
The cause of complaint with reference to Peter’s pence arose from an attempt of William de Testa, the Pope’s collector, to demand a penny for each household, instead of the fixed sum hitherto paid.
From The English Church in the Middle Ages by Hunt, William
It was Biddy who kissed his face and put Peter's pence upon his eyes and folded his arms on his breast.
From The Tragic Bride by Young, Francis Brett
By the end of three months, there were in Flanders no fewer than four hundred thousand associates for the collection of Peter's pence.
From Pius IX. And His Time by Dawson, Æneas MacDonell
The Pope promised to reduce the charges on condition that Peter's pence be regularly paid.
From Canute the Great The Rise of Danish Imperialism during the Viking Age by Larson, Laurence Marcellus
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
