epaulet

noun

ep·​au·​let ˌe-pə-ˈlet How to pronounce epaulet (audio)
ˈe-pə-ˌlet,
-lət
variants or less commonly epaulette
: something that ornaments or protects the shoulder: such as
a
: an ornamental fringed shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military uniform
b
: an ornamental strip or loop sewn across the shoulder of a dress or coat
epauletted
ˌe-pə-ˈle-təd How to pronounce epaulet (audio)
ˈe-pə-ˌle-
adjective

Illustration of epaulet

Illustration of epaulet
  • E epaulet

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Epaulet Has French and Latin Roots

The epaulet gets its name from what it covers - the shoulder. It comes from the French word épaulette, the diminutive of "épaule," meaning shoulder. (Another accepted spelling of the English word - "epaulette" - mirrors the French.) "Épaule" itself, though, comes from the Latin word spatha, meaning "spoon" or "sword." This Latin word (which traces back to Greek spathē, meaning "blade of a sword" or "oar") is also the root of the word spade - as in the playing card suit. (The digging implement "spade" is also a relative though the connection is less direct.)

Examples of epaulet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Indonesian military chief General Wiranto (L) fixes Prabowo's epaulets at a military ceremony in Jakarta on May 28, 1998. Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024 This season was no different: lime green raincoats with epaulets and puffy pockets were perfect for a rainy spring day, while airy bouclé tanks came with hoods and scarves, allowing the wearer to adjust for the warmest or coldest of days. Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024 So Fitoussi established a subliminal throughline starting with the intimidatingly icy all-white outfit Camille wears to greet Emily in Chamonix: an oversize Frankie Shop wool coat with epaulets, Moncler moon boots and gloves, and a Balmain sweater with a sleek, sinister-looking hood. Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 12 Sep. 2024 To this day, many contemporary models feature epaulets that would have originally been used to suspend gloves and whistles, and D-rings that could have held grenades. Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for epaulet 

Word History

Etymology

French épaulette, diminutive of épaule shoulder, from Old French espalle, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade, spoon, diminutive of Latin spatha spoon, sword — more at spade

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of epaulet was in 1778

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Dictionary Entries Near epaulet

Cite this Entry

“Epaulet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epaulet. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

epaulet

noun
ep·​au·​let
variants also epaulette
ˌep-ə-ˈlet How to pronounce epaulet (audio)
ˈep-ə-ˌlet
: a shoulder ornament on a uniform especially of a military or naval officer

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