miter

[ mahy-ter ]

noun

1. the official headdress of a bishop in the Western Church, in its modern form a tall cap with a top deeply cleft crosswise, the outline of the front and back resembling that of a pointed arch.
2. the office or rank of a bishop; bishopric.
3. Judaism. the official headdress of the ancient high priest, bearing on the front a gold plate engraved with the words Holiness to the Lord.
4. a fillet worn by women of ancient Greece.
5. Carpentry. an oblique surface formed on a piece of wood or the like so as to butt against an oblique surface on another piece to be joined with it.
6. Nautical. the inclined seam connecting the two cloths of an angulated sail.

verb (used with object)

1. to bestow a miter upon, or raise to a rank entitled to it.
2. to join with a miter joint.
3. to cut to a miter.
4. to join (two edges of fabric) at a corner by various methods of folding, cutting, and stitching.

miter

/ ˈmaɪtə /

noun

1. the usual US spelling of mitre

Word History and Origins

Origin of miter¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English mitre, from Latin mitra, from Greek mítra “turban, headdress”

Example Sentences

Budget note: If you don’t own a brad nailer or miter saw, many hardware stores have rental departments that allow you to borrow tools and supplies for a flat fee.

From Seattle Times

The archbishop’s miter, modeled after the one he wore at his installation, is immediately recognizable.

From Seattle Times

He was clad in a miter, red vestments and simple black shoes, but not the silver staff with crucifix or pallium, the vestment symbolizing papal authority.

From New York Times

Benedict’s body was dressed with a miter, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.

From Washington Times

He was dressed in a miter, the headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak-like vestment.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• administrator
• cleric
• director
• patriarch
• pontiff
• pope
• prelate
• priest