What does mitre mean?
A mitre is most commonly recognized as the tall, pointed ceremonial hat worn by a bishop, although the word also names a pointed metal covering and an angled joint used in construction and woodworking. The ecclesiastical sense comes from the hat's distinctive divided, pointed crown, traditionally richly embroidered for formal services. In architecture, a mitre joint is made by cutting two pieces of moulding at complementary angles so that they meet neatly along a diagonal seam. A mitre can also serve as a protective cap over a chimney or pipe. The British spelling is mitre, while American English generally uses miter. The word combines a strongly ceremonial association with a more technical construction meaning, making it recognizable in both religious and architectural contexts.
A tall, pointed ceremonial hat worn by a bishop, or a pointed metal cap covering the top of a chimney or similar structure. The term can also denote a diagonal joint formed by two pieces meeting at complementary angles.
"The bishop's mitre rose above the congregation as the procession entered."
The spelling miter is standard in American English; mitre is standard in British English.
To join pieces of wood, moulding, or similar material with angled cuts forming a mitre joint.
"The joiner mitred the two lengths of moulding before fitting them together."
Chiefly a British woodworking and construction term; American English normally spells it miter.
The usual British plural is mitres; the American plural is miters.
"The collection includes several embroidered mitres from different periods."
A bishop's mitre takes its distinctive pointed form from the same word that gave us mitre joints, the angled seams used by builders and woodworkers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mitre come from?
The word entered English through Anglo-French from Latin mitra, which in turn came from Greek mitra, meaning a headband or turban. Its ecclesiastical meaning developed from the distinctive hat worn by bishops, while the later building sense refers to the similar pointed or angled shape of a mitre joint.
Related word forms
How mitre is actually used
In British English, mitre is the usual spelling; miter is the standard American spelling. As a building term, the word may also be used as a verb, especially in woodworking, for joining pieces with angled cuts.
Easily confused with mitre
A mitre is a pointed ceremonial or architectural form, whereas a mitten is a hand covering with a separate thumb.