egret

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

/ ˈi grɪt, ˈɛg rɪt, iˈgrɛt, ˈi grɛt /

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.

Nearby words

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

On her head was the royal circlet of egret plumes nodding above the yellow circlet of the Sun.
The Trail Book|Mary Austin
The plumes in question consist of long filamentous feathers that grow from the neck of the egret and also from its breast.
A Bird Calendar for Northern India|Douglas Dewar
This is the starting place for egret hunters; many of these birds abounding in the back country.
Journeys and Experiences in Argentina, Paraguay, and Chile|Henry Stephens
"It was the plan of the Cacica of Cofachique," explained the Egret.
The Trail Book|Mary Austin

The egret, the night heron, the vampire—here were three types of organisms, characterizing the actions and reactions in nature.
Edge of the Jungle|William Beebe

British Dictionary definitions for egret

egret

/ (ˈiːɡrɪt) /

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

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).