epaulet

American  

[ep-uh-let, -lit, ep-uh-let] / ˈɛp əˌlɛt, -lɪt, ˌɛp əˈlɛt /

Or epaulette

noun

1. an ornamental shoulder piece worn on uniforms, chiefly by military officers.

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Etymology

Origin of epaulet

1775–85; < French épaulette, equivalent to épaule shoulder (< Latin spatula blade; see spatula) + -ette -ette

Explanation

An epaulet is a decoration that is attached to the shoulders of a uniform. If you are a guard at Buckingham Palace, you have pretty nice epaulets on your uniform, but they aren’t as amazing as that hat. The noun epaulet comes from the Late Latin meaning of spatula, “shoulder blade.” Any fancy extras attached on the exterior shoulders of a garment can be called an epaulet. Epaulets often have gold braided embroidery. Or stars. Some have fringe. The epaulets on the uniforms of airline pilots have four rows of braids, which distinguishes them as a higher rank than co-pilots, who wear three braids.

Example Sentences

Officials said at the time that the stolen items included a large diamond brooch and a diamond epaulet.

From Washington Times • May 16, 2023

They even had No. 16 in the epaulet of the shoulder pad.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2019

Bergdahl sat attentively Tuesday in his dress blue formal uniform, his infantry cord looped under the epaulet on his right shoulder, during the brief hearing.

From Time • May 17, 2016

Bergdahl, 30, sat attentively in his dress blue formal uniform, his infantry cord looped under the epaulet on his right shoulder, during the brief hearing.

From The Guardian • May 17, 2016

When the last epaulet was sewn onto the sleeve, I buried the jacket, and I waited.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman