bertha

¹ American  

[bur-thuh] / ˈbɜr θə /

noun

1. a collar or trimming, as of lace, worn about the shoulders by women, as over a low-necked waist or dress.

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Bertha ² American  

[bur-thuh] / ˈbɜr θə /

noun

1. a first name: from a Germanic word meaning “bright.”

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bertha British  

/ ˈbɜːθə /

noun

1. a wide deep capelike collar, often of lace, usually to cover up a low neckline

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Etymology

Origin of bertha

First recorded in 1835–45; named after Bertha (died a.d. 783), wife of Frankish king Pepin the Short; she was famed for her modesty

Example Sentences

To show that it was the PKF proteins that were doing the killing, University of British Columbia molecular biologist David Theilmann and colleagues infected bertha armyworms with two baculovirus species, MacoNPV-A and MacoNPV-B.

From Science Magazine • Jul. 29, 2021

Edwardian sleeves and bertha collars, ribbons, roses and trailing black velvet are the tricks of the trade.

From Time Magazine Archive

The long sleeves had been replaced by short lace ones, trimmed to match the pretty lace bertha, and the long handsome gloves quite completed her costume.

From Miss Dexie A Romance of the Provinces by Eveleth, Stanford

The ends of the bertha hung loosely and under it she had tied an apron of sheerest linen, edged with narrow Duchesse lace.

From Lavender and Old Lace by Reed, Myrtle

The catastrophe, which you related so calmly, about your book-muslin dress, lace bertha, etc., convulsed me with cold shudderings of horror. 

From Charlotte Brontë and Her Circle by Shorter, Clement King

Related Words

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