peter

pe-ter · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A male given name of Greek origin.

  2. 2.

    Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles and considered the first Pope.

  3. 3.

    (peter out) To gradually diminish and come to an end.

Related words

See also: name, paul

Etymology

As a name: from Greek Petros, meaning "rock, stone," which itself was a translation of Aramaic Kefa (Cephas). The name was given by Jesus to the apostle Simon, saying "upon this rock I will build my church." As a verb ("peter out"): American English from the 1840s, possibly from the mining term referring to exhausted ore deposits, origin uncertain.