biretta

noun

bi·​ret·​ta bə-ˈre-tə How to pronounce biretta (audio)
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen especially of the Roman Catholic Church

Illustration of biretta

Illustration of biretta

Examples of biretta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Instead of the usual thousands, only 10 guests per cardinal were allowed in St. Peter's Basilica as the pope gave the men their ring and traditional red hat, known as a biretta. NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020 Cardinals from Brunei and the Philippines could not travel and will receive their ring and biretta from a papal delegate. NBC News, 28 Nov. 2020 Among those receiving the cardinals’ biretta — a crimson-red square cap with three ridges — was his point man for helping Rome’s homeless and poor. Washington Post, 28 June 2018 Other looks in the show included a teal cargo jumpsuit with a matching miter, an oversized polo dress topped with a red velvet cardinal’s biretta, and a high-necked white dress that evoked an adult-size christening gown. New York Times, 9 May 2018 The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head. Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 29 July 2017 Tip o' the biretta to David Weinberger, Paul Boutin, James R. Giusti, and Paul McFedries. Wired Staff, WIRED, 1 Nov. 2000 The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head. Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, 30 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'biretta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian berretta, from Old Occitan berret cap, from Medieval Latin birretum, from Late Latin birrus cloak with a hood, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish berr short

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of biretta was in 1598

Dictionary Entries Near biretta

Cite this Entry

“Biretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biretta. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

biretta

noun
bi·​ret·​ta bə-ˈret-ə How to pronounce biretta (audio)
: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by Roman Catholic clergymen

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