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.
It depicts a blurred, open-mouthed figure in a biretta, a traditional cap worn by Catholic clergy and wearing a politician's usual attire of a shirt and tie.
From Reuters ● Mar. 15, 2022
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
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
Ahead of the changes in Vatican headwear that would come later in the ’60s, some prelates petitioned to be able to wear the zucchetto instead of the stiffer biretta.
From Slate ● Mar. 12, 2013
A great blackness came over the frosted visage, as if his black biretta had been suddenly drawn forward, and his erst blanched eyebrows gloomed like a black lightning-cloud over the baleful eyes.
From Ghetto Tragedies by Israel Zangwill
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.
