noun
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a skullcap worn by Roman Catholic clergy
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architect a concavity in the form of a niche or cup, serving to reduce the apparent height of an alcove or chapel
Etymology
Origin of calotte
First recorded in 1630–40; from French, Middle French: “skullcap,” from Provençal calota, or Italian callotta; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Greek kalýptra “veil, cover, hood”; perhaps from Arabic kalūta “cap”; compare also Latin calautica “woman's headdress”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
White House officials also announced the menu for the hundreds of guests: a cheese plate featuring three American cheeses; butter-poached Maine lobster; and calotte of beef with triple-cooked butter potatoes.
From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022
The calotte of beef was served with shallot marmalade.
From Washington Post • Dec. 1, 2022
She comes with four changes of clothes: a Kelly green ball gown, a teal suit with a calotte hat, a sweater and matching kick pleat skirt and a nightgown with a peignoir.
From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2020
Prudent, he donned a business suit and a derby hat, the latter concealing his pontifical calotte.
From Time Magazine Archive
Notwithstanding the blue travelling dress he wore, his rank was distinguishable by the black calotte that concealed his tonsure; and, notwithstanding his leanness, he appeared accustomed to better and richer fare.
From The Childhood of King Erik Menved An Historical Romance by Ingemann, Bernhard Severin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
