Petrus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A name often associated with the apostle Peter, who is a central figure in Christianity
2. It can also refer to a notable historical or religious figure in various contexts
3. In some usages, it may denote a specific character or name in literature or mythology

Etymology: Jesus gave Simon the nickname "Cephas," the Aramaic word for "rock," and the Greek gospels translated it as "Petros." That Greek word was a masculine noun meaning a stone or pebble, the masculine counterpart of "petra," which meant bedrock or a large rock. Latin then took the name as "Petrus," and it became the standard Latin form for the apostle. English took the name through Latin church usage, and "Peter" became the ordinary English form. The Latin form survives mainly in Catholic and scholarly contexts, and in some languages it became a common given name. Its meaning as "stone" has stayed attached to it through the Greek wordplay.

Synonyms: Peter