mitre
UK[ˈmaɪtə]US[ˈmaɪtər]
n
A tall, pointed hat worn by bishops and senior abbots in the Christian church during ceremonies.
n
A joint made by fitting together two pieces of material (especially wood) at an angle, typically 90°, where each piece is cut to an angle of 45°.
Etymology
The journey of 'mitre' begins with the Ancient Greek 'μίτρα' (mítra), denoting a headband or diadem. This term was adopted into Latin as 'mitra', retaining the sense of a headdress, often associated with Eastern attire. Through Old French, the word entered English, where its application narrowed specifically to the ceremonial headdress of Christian bishops, reflecting its association with authority and sanctity. The secondary meaning in carpentry, describing a type of angled joint, derives from the hat's characteristic shape, where two triangular sections meet at a point, thus completing the semantic evolution from a cloth band to a symbolic hat to a geometric form.
Analysis
The word is a simplex loanword. It entered English from Old French 'mitre', which came from Latin 'mitra', meaning a headband or turban. The Latin term was borrowed from Ancient Greek 'μίτρα' (mítra), which also referred to a headband, fillet, or later a kind of Persian turban.
Examples
The archbishop adjusted his ornate mitre before the procession.
To build the picture frame, you need to cut a perfect mitre at each corner.
The craftsmanship was evident in the seamless mitre joints of the wooden cabinet.