Perates

noun

Pe·​ra·​tes
pəˈrāˌtēz
plural Peratae
-ˌtē
or Perates
: a member of a Gnostic school venerating the serpent as a powerful being intermediary between God the Father and unformed matter

Word History

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

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near Perates

Cite this Entry

“Perates.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Perates. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!