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
It is a proc-u-ra-tor,—one who collects Peter’s pence for the Pope, Sir.
From A Canterbury Pilgrimage by Pennell, Elizabeth Robins
The loss of temporalities thus occasioned was made up by Pius IX. out of Peter's pence flowing in so abundantly from abroad; each bishop receiving 500 and each archbishop 700 lire in the month.
From Church History, Vol. 3 of 3 by Kurtz, J. H.
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
To our number we add the clergy and the faithful people who give you proof of their love and veneration by their assiduous prayers, as well as by the offering of Peter's pence.
From Pius IX. And His Time by Dawson, Æneas MacDonell
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.
