ˈbərthə, -ə̄thəˌ-əithə noun
( -s )
Etymology: in sense 1, from F. berthe, after Berthe (Bertha) died 783 queen of the Franks, noted for her modesty; in sense 2, from German Bertha, after Frau Bertha Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach died 1957 proprietress of the Krupp Works, Essen, Germany — more at big bertha
1.
a. : a woman's shoulder cape
b. : a wide round collar covering the shoulders (as for a dress or blouse)
2. usually capitalized : big bertha