*peter*

‖n. [ F., paper manufacture, fr. papier paper. ] A case or box containing paper and materials for writing. [ 1913 Webster ]

prop. n. A common baptismal name for a man. The name of one of the twelve apostles of Christ. [ 1913 Webster ]

Peter boat, a fishing boat, sharp at both ends, originally of the Baltic Sea, but now common in certain English rivers. --
Peter Funk, the auctioneer in a mock auction. [ Cant, U.S. ] --
Peter pence, or
Peter's pence. (a) An annual tax or tribute, formerly paid by the English people to the pope, being a penny for every house, payable on Lammas or St. Peter's day; -- called also Rome scot, and hearth money. (b) In modern times, a voluntary contribution made by Roman Catholics to the private purse of the pope. --
Peter's fish (Zool.), a haddock; -- so called because the black spots, one on each side, behind the gills, are traditionally said to have been caused by the fingers of St. Peter, when he caught the fish to pay the tribute. The name is applied, also, to other fishes having similar spots. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Petered p. pr. & vb. n. Petering. ] [ Etymol. uncertain. ] To become depleted; to run out; to fail; -- used generally with out; as, that mine has petered out. [ Slang, U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Zool.) See Petrel. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mil.) See Pederero. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Petermen A fisherman; -- so called after the apostle Peter. [ An obs. local term in Eng. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Named after Lord Petersham. ] A rough, knotted woolen cloth, used chiefly for men's overcoats; also, a coat of that material. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Bot.) See Saint Peter's-wort, under Saint. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ F. salpêtre, NL. sal petrae, literally, rock salt, or stone salt; so called because it exudes from rocks or walls. See Salt, and Petrify. ] (Chem.) Potassium nitrate; niter; a white crystalline substance, KNO3, having a cooling saline taste, obtained by leaching from certain soils in which it is produced by the process of nitrification (see Nitrification, 2). It is a strong oxidizer, is the chief constituent of gunpowder, and is also used as an antiseptic in curing meat, and in medicine as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and refrigerant. [ 1913 Webster ]

Chili salpeter (Chem.), sodium nitrate (distinguished from potassium nitrate, or true salpeter), a white crystalline substance, NaNO3, having a cooling, saline, slightly bitter taste. It is obtained by leaching the soil of the rainless districts of Chili and Peru. It is deliquescent and cannot be used in gunpowder, but is employed in the production of nitric acid. Called also cubic niter. --
Saltpeter acid (Chem.), nitric acid; -- sometimes so called because made from saltpeter. [ 1913 Webster ]