epaulet
NounSynonyms:
epaulette
Open English WordNet
Noun (1)
- adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulderSynonyms: epauletteType of adornmentKinds shoulder board, shoulder mark
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Ep′au·let′, Ep′au·lette′ noun
Origin: F. épaulette, dim. of épaule shoulder, fr. L. spatula a broad piece (LL., shoulder), dim. of spatha abroad, flat instrument, fr. Gr. …, also, a broad rib, shoulder blade. See Spade the instrument, and cf. Epaule, Spatula.
Military A shoulder ornament or badge worn by military and naval officers, differences of rank being marked by some peculiar form or device, as a star, eagle, etc.; a shoulder knot.
☞ In the United States service the epaulet is reserved for full dress uniform. Its use was abolished in the British army in 1855.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54
The Devil's Dictionary
EPAULET, n. An ornamented badge, serving to distinguish a military officer from the enemy -- that is to say, from the officer of lower rank to whom his death would give promotion.