Main Entry:

bi·ret·ta

Pronunciation:

\bə-ˈre-tə\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Italian berretta, from Old Occitan berret cap, from Medieval Latin birretum, from Late Latin birrus cloak with a hood, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish berr short

Date:

1598

: a square cap with three ridges on top worn by clergymen especially of the Roman Catholic Church

[biretta illustration]