Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A shoulder ornament, especially a fringed strap worn on military uniforms.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A shoulder-piece; an ornamental badge worn on the shoulder; specifically, a strap proceeding from the collar, and terminating on the shoulder in a disk, from which depends a fringe of cord, usually in bullion, but sometimes in worsted or other material, according to the rank of the wearer, etc.
- noun The shoulder-piece in the armor of the fourteenth century, especially when small and fitting closely to the person, as compared with the large pauldron of later days.
- noun The shoulder-covering of splints forming part of the light and close-fitting armor of the sixteenth century.
- noun In dressmaking, an ornament for the shoulder, its form changing with the different fashions.
- noun In entomology, the tegula or plate covering the base of the anterior wing in hymenopterous insects.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun (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.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A
decoration orflourish worn on theshoulders , as on auniform .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun adornment consisting of an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
Chatting With Thoreau About Twitter Peter Mandel 2011
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There is unit number on the epaulet but I can't make it out.
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The buff linings of the turned-back cuffs extended a good six inches up the sleeve, and a small coil of gold braid gleamed from one epaulet.
Sick Cycle Carousel 2010
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You can go with a standard, french or covered placket and contrast with some color or add in some shoulder elements (military/epaulet, double strip, fabric contrast) and play with some pocket options (single notch, double flap, fabric contrast).
Wednesday Giveaway – Blank Label Custom Dress Shirt | Manolith 2010
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At every appearance, her new baby was hanging on her shoulder like it was an epaulet.
Robert J. Elisberg: Sarah and Bristol Palin: One Child Left Behind 2009
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But now it turns out that on the other epaulet was perched the principled figure of Taylor Branch, not at all claiming to be a harp-strummer himself but insistently reminding his old friend that there were better angels in politics and humanity whose claims should not be scorned.
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Fresh from wardrobe, Ralph ridiculously sports a blue and gold epaulet costume and long leather whip.
Archive 2006-05-01 ____Maggie 2006
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Fresh from wardrobe, Ralph ridiculously sports a blue and gold epaulet costume and long leather whip.
Zamba (Copy) ____Maggie 2006
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I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
Archive 2007-05-01 M-mv 2007
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I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance that I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.
Click to enlarge. M-mv 2007
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