aigrette

American  

[ey-gret, ey-gret] / ˈeɪ grɛt, eɪˈgrɛt /

noun

1. a plume or tuft of feathers, especially the back plume of any of various herons, arranged as a head ornament.

2. a jeweled ornament depicting or suggesting this, usually worn in the hair or on a hat.

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aigrette British  

/ ˈeɪɡrɛt, eɪˈɡrɛt /

noun

1. a long plume worn on hats or as a headdress, esp one of long egret feathers

2. an ornament or piece of jewellery in imitation of a plume of feathers

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Etymology

Origin of aigrette

1635–45; < French, equivalent to aigr- (< Germanic; compare Old High German heiger heron) + -ette -ette. See egret, heron

Related Words

• ridge