egret

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

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.

Origin of egret

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for egret

Historical Examples of egret

The Egret settled to her nest again and the Pelican went on with the story.
The Trail Book
Mary Austin
"It was the plan of the Cacica of Cofachique," explained the Egret.
The Trail Book
Mary Austin
It will be from the Sultan himself, with the heart of an egret in his hand.
Eastern Tales by Many Story Tellers
Various
Baibars wore an egret's plume, symbol of valor, on his green turban.
The Saracen: Land of the Infidel
Robert Shea
The colour of the Egret is pure white, with the exception of the train.
Bible Animals;
J. G. Wood

British Dictionary definitions for egret

egret

noun

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 CiconiiformesSee also aigrette

Word Origin for egret

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for egret

mid-14c., from Old French aigrette, from Old Provençal aigreta, diminutive of aigron "heron," perhaps of Germanic origin (cf. Old High German heigaro; see heron).