peritus

noun

pe·​ri·​tus
pəˈrētəs
plural periti
-ētē,
-ēˌtē
: an expert (as in theology or canon law) who advises and assists the hierarchy (as in the drafting of schemata) at a Vatican council

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin peritus, adjective, skilled, experienced

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peritus was in 1962

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 peritus

Cite this Entry

“Peritus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peritus. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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