biretta
(bɪˈrɛtə)
Also 6 berretta, barretta, 9 beretta, birretta.
[a. It. berretta and Sp. birreta (= Pr. berreta, barreta, F. barette), found beside the masc. forms Pr. birret, Béarn. berreto, Catalan baret, F. béret:—late L. birretum cap, f. birrus (byrrhus) a cloak or cape of silk or wool, prob. ad. Gr. πυρρός flame-coloured, yellow.]
The square cap worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church; that of priests being black, of bishops purple, of cardinals red.
| 1598 Bp. Hall Sat. iv. vii. 52 Or his berretta [1599 Barretta] or his towred felt. 1865 Pall Mall G. 3 Oct. 11 Near his church, he should of course wear the beretta or priest's cap. 1881 Athenæum 21 May 693/2 He has a black shock of hair escaping under a red biretta. |