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cotta

American  
[kot-uh, kaw-tuh] / ˈkɒt ə, ˈkɔ tə /

noun

Ecclesiastical.
  1. a surplice.

  2. a short surplice, sleeveless or with short sleeves, worn especially by choristers.


cotta British  
/ ˈkɒtə /

noun

  1. RC Church a short form of surplice

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of cotta

1840–50; < Medieval Latin, variant of cota kind of tunic. See coat

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.

See Examples For:

A special “Chef’s Table” meal featured pumpkin and ginger soup, a duo of rock lobster and beef tenderloin, and a carrot panna cotta dessert, Moraes posted.

From The Wall Street Journal May 7, 2026

The panna cotta, discontinued after the pandemic, was my favorite.

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 26, 2026

It’s great with semifreddo, granita or panna cotta and pairs beautifully with citrus.

From Salon Apr. 3, 2025

They came in a small range of colors: sand, terra cotta, chestnut.

From Slate Oct. 20, 2024

Standing by the lectern to turn the pages of the missal was Robin in scarlet cassock and white linen cotta.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

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