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; 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

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

That shoulder braid has a name: It’s called 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

Unluckily for his peace of mind, the young subaltern dressed at his father's house, and, not being used to the splendid paraphernalia of the Blues' uniform, he omitted to put on his aiguillette.

From Collections and Recollections by Russell, George William Erskine