biretta

American  

[buh-ret-uh] / bəˈrɛt ə /

Also berretta,

noun

1. a stiff square cap with three or four upright projecting pieces extending from the center of the top to the edge, worn by ecclesiastics.

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biretta British  

/ bɪˈrɛtə /

noun

1. RC Church a stiff clerical cap having either three or four upright pieces projecting outwards from the centre to the edge: coloured black for priests, purple for bishops, red for cardinals, and white for certain members of religious orders

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

biretta

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

During Saturday's ceremony at St Peter's Basilica, known as a consistory, the 68-year-old will kneel before the pope and have a scarlet biretta placed on his head and will receive a ring.

From BBC ● Feb. 22, 2014

Benedict gave the new cardinals their ring and traditional red "biretta," or hat.

From Reuters ● Nov. 24, 2012

Only in Spain has the biretta continued to be worn without the raised ridges.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 7 "Bible" to "Bisectrix" by Various

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Related Words

• hat
• helmet
• tiara
• turban

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