biretta
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of biretta
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Italian berretta, feminine variant of berretto, from Old Provençal berret, from Medieval Latin birrettum “cap,” equivalent to Late Latin birr(us) “hooded cloak” + -ettum diminutive suffix; apparently by the development: “hooded cloak” to “hood” to “cap”; compare Medieval Latin (circa 800) byrrus “short hood” ( cuculla brevis ); see birrus, -et
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A photograph showed Bishop Joyce, in cassock and biretta, standing in front of a Christmas tree with children on each side.
From The New Yorker ● Apr. 8, 2019
Dressed in a crimson cassock and a traditional biretta hat, the Cardinal gave an impassioned speech that the leaders of BPI hope will be a turning point for the historically divisive politics surrounding college-in-prison programs.
From Slate ● Jan. 28, 2015
Francis gave the red-and-white-garbed cardinals their square hat, known as a biretta, and their ring of office in the presence of hundreds of other cardinals and bishops during the solemn ceremony inside Christendom's largest church.
From Reuters ● Feb. 22, 2014
The reason the biretta is red is to symbolise each wearer's willingness to give their lives for the Catholic faith.
From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2014
He wore Spanish boots and a velvet biretta, all very gallant.
From Lucretia Borgia According to Original Documents and Correspondence of Her Day by Gregorovius, Ferdinand
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
