egret

[ ee-grit, eg-rit, ee-gret, ee-gret ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of several usually white herons that grow long, graceful plumes during the breeding season, as Egretta garzetta little egret, of the Old World.
aigrette.

egret

/ ˈiːɡrɪt /

noun

See aigrette
any of various wading birds of the genera Egretta, Hydranassa, etc, that are similar to herons but usually have a white plumage and, in the breeding season, long feathery plumes: family Ardeidae, order Ciconiiformes See also aigrette

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of egret¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English egret(e), from Anglo-French egret (compare Middle French égreste aigrette ), alteration (with -on exchanged for -et -et ) of dialectal Old French aigron, from Germanic; heron

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of egret¹

C15: from Old French aigrette, from Old Provençal aigreta, from aigron heron, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German heigaro heron

Discover More

Example Sentences

The egret also has a longer tail than the macaque, in proportion to the length of its body.

From Project Gutenberg

The macaque and the egret, appeared to us so similar, that we presumed them to be of one and the same species.

From Project Gutenberg

Not to let them all escape, I aimed at a beautiful egret with white plumage, and to my great delight down it fell.

From Project Gutenberg

About the pools near our camp we saw the little white egret; the snowy heron had been common for some days.

From Project Gutenberg

The various species of egret and the paddy bird all assume their nuptial plumes in May.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

egressive Egypt

Browse