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biretta

noun
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bi·​ret·​ta | \ bə-ˈre-tə How to pronounce biretta (audio) \

Definition of biretta

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

Illustration of biretta

Illustration of biretta

Examples of biretta in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Among those receiving the cardinals’ biretta — a crimson-red square cap with three ridges — was his point man for helping Rome’s homeless and poor. — Washington Post, "Pope to 14 new cardinals: Defend the dignity of the poor," 28 June 2018 Other looks in the show included a teal cargo jumpsuit with a matching miter, an oversized polo dress topped with a red velvet cardinal’s biretta, and a high-necked white dress that evoked an adult-size christening gown. — New York Times, "Meet the Young Designers Making Catholic-Inspired Fashion," 9 May 2018 The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head. — Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, "A Pittsburgh Church Holds the Greatest Collection of Relics Outside of the Vatican," 29 July 2017 Tip o' the biretta to David Weinberger, Paul Boutin, James R. Giusti, and Paul McFedries. — Wired Staff, WIRED, "Jargon Watch," 1 Nov. 2000 The deeply revered priest was a tall man with a long Old World beard and a biretta cap perched on his head. — Joni Sternbach, Smithsonian, "A Pittsburgh Church Holds the Greatest Collection of Relics Outside of the Vatican," 30 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'biretta.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of biretta

1598, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for biretta

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

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Time Traveler for biretta

Time Traveler

The first known use of biretta was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Biretta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/biretta. Accessed 25 Feb. 2020.

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More from Merriam-Webster on biretta

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for biretta

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with biretta

Spanish Central: Translation of biretta

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about biretta

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