calotte

American  

[kuh-lot] / kəˈlɒt /

noun

1. zucchetto.

2. skullcap.

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calotte British  

/ kəˈlɒt /

noun

1. a skullcap worn by Roman Catholic clergy

2. architect a concavity in the form of a niche or cup, serving to reduce the apparent height of an alcove or chapel

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Etymology

Origin of calotte

First recorded in 1630–40; from French, Middle French: “skullcap,” from Provençal calota, or Italian callotta; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Greek kalýptra “veil, cover, hood”; perhaps from Arabic kalūta “cap”; compare also Latin calautica “woman's headdress”