Peter's pence

or Peter pence


noun
  1. an annual tax or tribute, originally of a penny, paid by certain English property owners to the papal see until the Reformation.

  2. a voluntary contribution to the pope, made by Roman Catholics.

Origin of Peter's pence

1
1175–1225; Middle English Peteres peni (singular)

Words Nearby Peter's pence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for Peter's pence

Peter's pence

noun
  1. an annual tax, originally of one penny, formerly levied for the maintenance of the Papal See: abolished by Henry VIII in 1534

  2. a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics in many countries for the same purpose

Origin of Peter's pence

1
C13: referring to St Peter, considered as the first pope

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012