epaulet

American  

[ep-uh-let, -lit, ep-uh-let] / ˈɛp əˌlɛt, -lɪt, ˌɛp əˈlɛt /

Or epaulette

noun

1. an ornamental shoulder piece worn on uniforms, chiefly by military officers.

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Etymology

Origin of epaulet

1775–85; < French épaulette, equivalent to épaule shoulder (< Latin spatula blade; spatula ) + -ette -ette

Example Sentences

The name Cartel of the Suns, a term coined by Venezuelan journalists, refers to the gold suns—equivalent to American generals’ gold stars—worn by Venezuelan generals on the epaulets of their uniforms.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Suns” refers to the gold insignia, equivalent to a U.S. general’s stars, worn on the epaulets of Venezuelan generals’ uniforms.

From The Wall Street Journal

Alas, one of its legs was tethered by a long, thin cord to the epaulet of the actor pirate upon whose shoulder it had so recently perched.

From Literature

From his first show, in 1977, when he sent out models in full leather regalia, the epaulets of their jackets looped with chains, his Paris presentations were among the buzziest.

From New York Times

Officials said at the time that the stolen items included a large diamond brooch and a diamond epaulet.

From Washington Times