Definition

1. Noun:

   • A liturgical headdress worn by bishops: A tall, pointed ceremonial hat worn by bishops and certain other Christian clergy during formal religious services.
   • A joint or the surface at a joint: In woodworking and carpentry, the surface of a beveled end of a piece of wood, or the joint itself, where two pieces meet at an angle (usually 90 degrees) with each piece cut at a 45-degree angle.
   • A type of corner joint: Specifically, a joint that forms a corner, typically created by beveling each piece at an equal angle.

2. Verb:

   • To join with a miter joint: To fit or connect two pieces of material (like wood or picture frame molding) together at an angle using a miter joint.
   • To confer the office or rank of bishop: To bestow a miter upon someone, symbolically making them a bishop.
   • To bevel an edge for a miter joint: To cut the edge of a piece of material at an angle (typically 45 degrees) in preparation for making a miter joint.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The bishop adjusted his ornate miter before the procession began.
  • To make a perfect picture frame, you must cut precise miters at each corner.
  • The strength of the joint depends on the quality of the miter.

• Verb:

  • The carpenter will miter the ends of the trim before installing it.
  • The ceremony to miter the new bishop will be held at the cathedral.
  • You need to miter both boards at 45 degrees to form a right angle.

Advanced Usage

• "Miter box": A tool (a box or guide with slots) used to hold a saw at a fixed angle for making accurate miter cuts.

  • He used a miter box to ensure the cuts for the frame were perfectly angled.

• "Miter saw": A power saw designed to make accurate crosscuts and miter cuts.

  • For the deck project, a compound miter saw is the best tool for the job.

Variants and Related Words

• Mitre: The standard British English spelling of "miter."
• Mitered (adj.): Describing something that has been joined with or cut for a miter joint.
  • The mitered corners of the box were seamless.
• Miter joint (n.): The specific type of corner joint formed by two beveled pieces.

Synonyms

• Noun (headdress): Bishop's cap, liturgical headdress.
• Noun (joint): Bevel joint, angled joint.
• Verb (to join): Bevel, angle, join at an angle.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Miter" is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its verbal uses are typically transitive.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms centered on the word "miter.")

Noun

1. a liturgical headdress worn by bishops on formal occasions
2. the surface of a beveled end of a piece where a miter joint is made
   • he covered the miter with glue before making the joint
3. joint that forms a corner; usually both sides are bevelled at a 45-degree angle to form a 90-degree corner

Verb

1. fit together in a miter joint
2. confer a miter on (a bishop)
3. bevel the edges of, to make a miter joint