birrus

American  

[bir-uhs] / ˈbɪr əs /

Or byrrus

noun

plural

birri

1. a hooded cloak of coarse wool, a common article of apparel in the later Roman Empire.

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Etymology

Origin of birrus

< Late Latin, perhaps < Celtic *birros short (> Welsh byrr, MIr berr ); for sense cf. shirt

Example Sentences

LL. birrettum, berretum, a cap, dim. of L. birrus, birrum, a cloak to keep off rain, cf.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

The Standard Dictionary, however, points to burrago, rough, and relates it indirectly by cross references to birrus, a thick, coarse woolen cloth worn by the poor during the thirteenth century.

From Culinary Herbs: Their Cultivation Harvesting Curing and Uses by Kains, M. G. (Maurice Grenville)

In this nomenclature is mentioned the birrus of Laodicea, an imitation of the birrus of the Nervii, which was a very fine linen cloth, worn by ladies of fashion.

From Characters and events of Roman History by Ferrero, Frances Lance

Their statement, however, that it is “pretty clear” that the cope is derived from the Roman lacerna or birrus is very much open to criticism.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various