beretta

2 definitions found

beretta - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Beretta \Be*ret"ta\, n.
     Same as Berretta.
     [1913 Webster]

  Berretta \Ber*ret"ta\, n. [It., fr. LL. birrettum, berretum, a
     cap, dim. of L. birrus, birrum, a cloak to keep off rain, cf.
     Gr. ? tawny, red: cf. Sp. birreta, Pg. barrete, and E.
     Barret.]
     A square cap worn by ecclesiastics of the Roman Catholic
     Church. A cardinal's berretta is scarlet; that worn by other
     clerics is black, except that a bishop's is lined with green.
     [Also spelt beretta, biretta, etc.]
     [1913 Webster]