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berretta

berretta

9.9
A stiff square cap with ridges on top worn by Catholic priests
  • noun
  • /bɛˈrɛtə/
  • UK
translation icon : birrete
  • Many members of the clergy in Rome wear a berretta as part of their ceremonial attire.

Examples

  • He adjusted his berretta to fit snugly on his head before entering the chapel.

  • The priest wore a traditional berretta during the church service.

  • Get that berretta away from him somehow, and kill him

Synonyms

biretta
vsberretta
1 9.9

A stiff square cap with three or four ridges worn by priests, bishops, and some academics

is worn mainly by Roman Catholic clergy rather than by other groups
birretta
vsberretta
  • Specialized
9.9

A stiff square cap with three or four peaks that priests and cardinals wear

is more general and does not specify an exact ridge count

How Formal

miter
  • US
1 9.5
berretta
  • UK
9.9
hat
1.0
cap
175 1.0

Surface Forms

berretta singular
berrettas plural

Etymology

Berretta comes from the Italian word berretta, which means 'small cap'. It is like the word beret, another hat word, and that's why berretta refers to the stiff, square cap worn by Catholic priests.