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Webster 1913 Edition
Epaulette
{
, Ep′au-letˊ
,Ep′au-letteˊ
}Noun.
[F.
épaulette
, dim. of épaule
shoulder, fr. L. spatula
a broad piece (LL., shoulder), dim. of spatha
abroad, flat instrument, fr. Gr. [GREEK], also, a broad rib, shoulder blade. See Spade
the instrument, and cf. Epaule
, Spatula
.] (Mil.)
A shoulder ornament or badge worn by military and naval officers, differences of rank being marked by some peculiar form or device, as a star, eagle, etc.; a shoulder knot.