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Epaulette - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

An epaulette is a decorative shoulder piece or badge, often found on military uniforms, jackets, or coats. It signifies rank, unit, or serves as a fashion embellishment.

epaulette

/ˌɛpəˈlɛt/ /ˈɛpəlɛt/

Definition:

A decorative shoulder piece on military uniforms or clothing, often indicating rank.

Synonyms:

shoulder board, shoulder knot, insignia

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

plainness, simplicity

Common Collocations:

military uniform, officer's attire, ceremonial dress

Derivatives:

epauletted, epaulet-like

Usage Tips:

Use "epaulette" to describe ornamental shoulder adornments, especially in formal or military contexts.

Common Phrases:

gold epaulettes, officer's epaulettes, ceremonial epaulettes

Etymology:

Derived from French "épaulette," diminutive of "épaule" (shoulder), originating from Latin "spatula."

Examples:

  • 1. The general's epaulettes gleamed under the sunlight.
  • 2. She sewed an epaulette onto her costume for the play.
  • 3. His uniform lacked the traditional epaulettes of higher ranks.
  • 4. The vintage jacket featured intricate silver epaulettes on each shoulder.

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