English

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn wearing a red biretta

Noun

biretta ‎(plural birettas)

1. A square cap, originally with four ridges across the top, surmounted by a tuft, worn by Roman Catholic clergy (and by some in the Anglican Church). A three-sided biretta is worn by Roman Catholic clergy for liturgical celebrations.
   • 1918, W. B. Maxwell, chapter 10, in The Mirror and the Lamp:

     It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.

Derived terms

• biretta'd

References

• The Catholic Encyclopedia's entry for "Biretta"

Anagrams

• battier, bit rate, bitrate, terabit