miter

(mītər)

noun

  1. a headdress; specif.,
    1. a tall, ornamented cap with peaks in front and back, worn by the pope, bishops, and abbots as a mark of office
    2. the official headdress of the ancient Jewish high priest
    3. in ancient Greece, a headband worn by women
  2. the office or rank of a bishop; bishopric

Origin: ME mitre < OFr < L mitra < Gr, a belt, fillet, headband, turban < IE *mitro, a band < base *mei-, to bind, tie

transitive verb

to invest with the office of bishop by placing a miter on

noun

  1. a kind of joint formed by fitting together two pieces, beveled to a specified angle (usually 45°) to form a corner (usually a right angle)
    now usually miter joint
  2. either of the facing surfaces of such a joint
  3. miter square

Origin: prob. < miter

transitive verb

  1. to fit together in a miter joint
  2. to bevel the ends or edges of to form a miter joint

See miter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. The liturgical headdress and part of the insignia of a Christian bishop. In the Western church it is a tall pointed hat with peaks in front and back, worn at all solemn functions.
  2. a. A thong for binding the hair, worn by women in ancient Greece.
    b. The ceremonial headdress worn by ancient Jewish high priests.
  3. a. A miter joint.
    b. The edge of a piece of material that has been beveled preparatory to making a miter joint.
    c. A miter square.
verb mi·tered, mi·ter·ing, mi·ters
verb, transitive
  1. To bestow a miter upon.
  2. a. To make (two pieces or surfaces) join with a miter joint.
    b. To bevel the edges of for joining with a miter joint.
verb, intransitive
To meet in a miter joint.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English mitre

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Medieval Latin

Origin: , from Latin mitra, headdress of the Jewish high priest

Origin: , from Greek

.

Related Forms:

  • miˈter·er noun

Learn more about miter

link/cite print suggestion box