miter Hear it!

miter1 definition

mi·ter (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

Etymology: 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
miter2 definition

mi·ter (mītər)

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

Etymology: 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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