epaulet

[ ep-uh-let, -lit, ep-uh-let ]

/ ˈɛp əˌlɛt, -lɪt, ˌɛp əˈlɛt /

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noun

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

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Origin of epaulet

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

During missions, they all jumped into the same dark water where, as the early frogmen noted, there was no place on their bare shoulders for rank or epaulets.
How unruly, knife-wielding swimmers became the first Navy SEALs|David Philipps|December 5, 2021|Popular-Science
M. de Faverges had fallen back on the National Guard, without obtaining the epaulet of commander.
Bouvard and Pcuchet|Gustave Flaubert
Like the Zouaves, this last-named corps is a favourite with adventurous volunteers, ambitious of distinction and the epaulet.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Vol. 68, No 420, October 1850|Various
We also find a tight sleeve gathered in a circular puff at the shoulder or set in a rolled epaulet.
Dress design|Talbot Hughes

On each side of his neck he has a bare orange-coloured spot, and near it a downy epaulet.
The Western World|W.H.G. Kingston
He only had a blue and red epaulet on his white drill tunic, there was no red cross on his arm.
Sketches of the East Africa Campaign|Robert Valentine Dolbey