peter
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to gradually become smaller, weaker, or stop completely.
v.to diminish gradually and then cease; almost exclusively used as the phrasal verb 'peter out'.
Simple“The rain started to peter out just as we reached the house.”
In context“The protest began with great energy, but interest seemed to peter out as the afternoon heat became unbearable.”
UsageIntransitive; almost always followed by the particle 'out'.
- 02 A1 Beginner
n.a common name for a man.
n.a male given name of Greek origin, meaning 'rock'.
Simple“My friend Peter is coming over for dinner tonight.”
In context“The Gospel of Matthew records the moment when Simon was given the name Peter, symbolizing his role as a foundational figure.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a strong metal box used for keeping money or jewelry safe.
n.a safe or strongbox used for the storage of valuables.
Simple“The thieves spent hours trying to crack the peter in the back room.”
In context“Old underworld accounts often describe the specialized tools required to blow a peter without alerting the night watchman.”
Synonymssafestrongbox - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a small room in a prison where a criminal is kept.
n.a prison cell or a place of confinement.
Simple“He spent three nights in the peter before his lawyer arrived.”
In context“The inmate complained that the peter was damp and lacked sufficient ventilation during the winter months.”
Synonymscelllockup
From Middle English Peter, from Old English Petrus, from Latin Petrus, from Ancient Greek Πέτρος (Pétros), from πέτρος (pétros, “stone, rock”). Doublet of Pedro, Piers, and Boutros.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.