What does mitred mean?
Mitred describes a joint, roof, moulding, or similar construction in which two sloping surfaces meet to create a continuous angled ridge. The term is especially common in masonry, joinery, architecture, and woodworking, where accurate joints are necessary to create a clean corner or continuous line. In a more specialized ecclesiastical sense, mitred describes a bishop or another senior cleric wearing a mitre, the ceremonial headpiece from which the architectural term ultimately derives. Mitred is the standard British spelling; American usage more commonly favors mitered. Although the word may sound technical, it is useful in descriptions of traditional buildings, craftsmanship, and construction because it identifies a particular method of joining two pieces rather than merely a generic angled connection.
Having two sloping surfaces that meet to form a continuous angled ridge, especially in masonry, woodworking, or architecture.
"The masons cut the stones carefully to create a perfect mitred corner."
Common in British English; “mitered” is the more usual US spelling.
Wearing a mitre, especially as a bishop or other senior ecclesiastical officer.
"A mitred prelate sat at the head of the assembly."
A formal, specialized ecclesiastical use.
A mitred joint turns two straight pieces into an elegant angle, while an ecclesiastical mitre once began as a simple band tied around a person's head.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does mitred come from?
The word derives from mitre, a term for an ecclesiastical headdress and, by extension, for angled joints or sloping surfaces resembling the two sides of a mitre. Mitre comes through Old French from Latin mitra, a headband or head covering, which in turn was borrowed from Greek mitra, meaning a headband or turban. The architectural meaning developed through the comparison of sloping surfaces with the peaked sides of a bishop's mitre.
Related word forms
How mitred is actually used
The architectural sense is chiefly British in modern usage, though the form is also understood in American English; US writers more often spell it “mitered.” The ecclesiastical sense is formal and comparatively rare.
Easily confused with mitred
“Mitred” and “mitered” are the British and American spellings of the same word, not separate meanings.