pəˈrāˌtēz noun
( plural pera·tae -ˌtē ; or perates )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: Late Latin Peratae, plural, from Late Greek Peratai, from plural of Greek peratēs one that crosses over, from peran to cross over, pass through — more at fare
: a member of a Gnostic school venerating the serpent as a powerful being intermediary between God the Father and unformed matter