Epaulette

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Epaulet \Ep"au*let`\, Epaulette \Ep"au*lette`\, n. [F.
     ['e]paulette, dim. of ['e]paule 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}.] (Mil.)
     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.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: In the United States service the epaulet is reserved
           for full dress uniform. Its use was abolished in the
           British army in 1855. Epauleted

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  epaulette
       n : adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the
           shoulder [syn: {epaulet}]