English Explanatory Dictionary

mitre

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by church dignitaries, which has been made in many forms, mostly recently a tall cap with two points or peaks.
  2. The surface forming the bevelled end or edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or a junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter joint.
  3. A 13th-century coin minted in Europe which circulated in Ireland as a debased counterfeit sterling penny, outlawed under Edward I.
  4. A cap or cowl for a chimney or ventilation pipe.
  5. A gusset in sewing, etc.
  6. A square with one triangular quarter missing from the outside.
  7. A mitre shell
verb
  1. To adorn with a mitre.
  2. To unite at an angle of 45°.
name
  1. A locality in the Rural City of Horsham and the Shire of West Wimmera, western Victoria, Australia.

Pronunciation

/ˈmaɪtəɹ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-mitre.wav

Word forms

mitre mitres miter mitring mitred

Etymology

From Middle English mytre, from Old French mitre, from Ancient Greek μίτρα (mítra, “headband, turban”). Its use in reference to a counterfeit coin derived from the bishop's mitre stamped upon it. Doublet of Mithras, Mithra, Mitra, and Mehr.

Related words

alb epigonation epimanikion epitrachelion maniple omophorion rhason sakkos sticharion zone pollard rosary crockard leonine scalding steeping eagle

Derived words

mitral mitrate mitre box mitre joint mitreless mitre line mitre saw mitre shell mitre wheel mitrewort mitriform unmitre
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