cockade

American  

[ko-keyd] / kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a rosette, knot of ribbon, etc., usually worn on the hat as part of a uniform, as a badge of office, or the like.

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cockade British  

/ kɒˈkeɪd /

noun

1. a feather or ribbon worn on military headwear

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Other Word Forms

• cockaded adjective

Etymology

Origin of cockade

First recorded in 1650–60; cockade (also cockard ), from French cocarde “a knot of ribbons, cockade” (from its resemblance to a cock's crest), from Middle French cocquard “boastful, silly, cocky” (like the boastful behavior of a rooster), from coc “rooster, cock”; see cock ¹ + -arde -ard

Example Sentences

Made by Poupard, Napoleon's official hatmaker, the headpiece displays all the hallmark features of an authentic imperial bicorne, including its distinctive proportions, a small tricolour cockade, and a silk‑taffeta lining, Parich said.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

The king arrived in Paris days later, Edelstein says, to declare his support of the revolution and don the tricolor cockade.

From Time • Jul. 13, 2016

He organized and commanded the famed National Guard of Paris, invented the tri color cockade, gave work to thousands by ordering the Bastille razed.

From Time Magazine Archive

At the end of two hours the girl was wearing a flaming red cap, the boy a cockade on his chest and they were still going like mad.

From Time Magazine Archive

The Reverend towered over the rickety altar, his fiery crew cut bristling like a woodpecker’s cockade.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver