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epaulet - 4 dictionary results

ep⋅au⋅let

[ep-uh-let, -lit, ep-uh-let]
–noun
an ornamental shoulder piece worn on uniforms, chiefly by military officers.
Also, ep⋅au⋅lette.


Origin:
1775–85; < F épaulette, equiv. to épaule shoulder (< L spatula blade; see spatula ) + -ette -ette
ep·au·let also ep·au·lette   (ěp'ə-lět', ěp'ə-lět')   
n.  A shoulder ornament, especially a fringed strap worn on military uniforms.

[French épaulette, diminutive of épaule, shoulder, from Old French espaule, from Late Latin spatula, shoulder blade; see espalier.]

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.

Note: In the United States service the epaulet is reserved for full dress uniform. Its use was abolished in the British army in 1855.

epaulet 
1783, from Fr. épaulette, dim. of epaule "shoulder," from O.Fr. espaule, from L. spatula "flat piece of wood, splint," later "shoulder blade," dim. of spatha "broad wooden instrument, broad sword," from Gk. spathe "a broad flat sword" (see spade (1)).
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