aiguillette

American  

[ey-gwi-let] / ˌeɪ gwɪˈlɛt /

noun

1. an ornamental tagged cord or braid on the shoulder of a uniform; aglet.

2. a long thin slice of cooked meat, especially a narrow strip cut lengthwise from the breast of a fowl.

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aiguillette British  

/ ˌeɪɡwɪˈlɛt /

noun

1. an ornamentation worn by certain military officers, consisting of cords with metal tips

2. a variant of aglet

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Other Word Forms

• aiguilletted adjective

Etymology

Origin of aiguillette

From French, dating back to 1810–20; see origin at aiguille, -ette

Example Sentences

He was a member of the ceremony’s honor guard – his prison uniform was decorated with a white aiguillette, the ornamental braided cord denoting his military service.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

That shoulder braid has a name: It’s called an aiguillette.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2018

In retrospect, it’s probably not a good idea for an American president to come out in favor of an aiguillette.

From Washington Post • Feb. 26, 2018

He wore a white duck uniform adorned with gilt shoulder straps, an aiguillette, and a bar of service ribbons brilliantly plaided and striped.

From Sacrifice by Whitman, Stephen French

Or, tiens cette aiguillette, Elle y servira trop.

From Christmas in Ritual and Tradition, Christian and Pagan by Miles, Clement A.