noun plural but usually singular in construction
Usage: usually capitalized 1st P
Etymology: Middle English Peteres pens, plural of Peteres peny (translation of Medieval Latin denarius Sancti Petri ), from Peteres (gen. of Peter St. Peter died A.D.67? disciple of Jesus) + Middle English peny penny; from the Roman Catholic tradition that St. Peter founded the papal see
1. : an annual tax or tribute of a penny formerly paid by each householder in England to the papal see
2.
a. : a voluntary annual contribution made by Roman Catholics to the pope
b. : the collection in a Roman Catholic Church at which such contributions are made