Saint Peter's fish

noun

Saint Pe·​ter's fish

-ˈpētə(r)z-

: john dory

Word History

Etymology

after St. Peter †ab67, one of Jesus' disciples, regarded as the founder of the Church of Rome; so called from the legend that the dark spot on each side of a John Dory is due to Peter's having removed a coin from the mouth of a fish of this species to pay a tax (Matthew 17:27)

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