biretta

noun bi·ret·ta \ bə-ˈre-tə \

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of biretta

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

Recent Examples of biretta from 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.

Illustration of biretta

Origin and Etymology of biretta

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1598

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year