miter
UK[ˈmaɪtə]US[ˈmaɪtər]
n
A tall pointed hat worn by bishops and senior abbots as a symbol of office.
n
A joint made by beveling each of two parts to be joined, usually at a 45° angle, to form a corner, typically a right angle.
v
To join with a miter joint.
Etymology
The word 'miter' traces its lineage back to the ancient Greek 'mitra', signifying a belt or headband, a common item of attire. This term was adopted into Latin with the same meaning, 'mitra', and later passed into Old French as 'mitre'. In ecclesiastical Latin, the word came to specifically denote the ceremonial headdress of a bishop, a meaning which English fully adopted in the Middle Ages. The modern sense of a 'miter joint' in carpentry, which resembles the angled shape of a bishop's hat, is a later metaphorical extension from the 17th century, demonstrating how a term for an item of clothing evolved to describe a precise geometric form.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Old French 'mitre', which derived from Latin 'mitra', meaning a headband or turban. The Latin term was borrowed from Greek 'mitra', which referred to a belt or headband.
Examples
The archbishop adjusted his ornate miter before the procession.
To build the picture frame, you need to cut a perfect miter at each corner.
The carpenter will miter the ends of the molding for a seamless fit.