epaulet

noun

ep·​au·​let ˌe-pə-ˈlet 

ˈe-pə-ˌlet,

-lət

variants or less commonly epaulette

: something that ornaments or protects the shoulder: such as

a

: an ornamental fringed shoulder pad formerly worn as part of a military uniform

b

: an ornamental strip or loop sewn across the shoulder of a dress or coat

epauletted

ˌe-pə-ˈle-təd 

ˈe-pə-ˌle-

adjective

Illustration of epaulet

• E epaulet

Did you know?

Epaulet Has French and Latin Roots

The epaulet gets its name from what it covers - the shoulder. It comes from the French word épaulette, the diminutive of "épaule," meaning shoulder. (Another accepted spelling of the English word - "epaulette" - mirrors the French.) "Épaule" itself, though, comes from the Latin word spatha, meaning "spoon" or "sword." This Latin word (which traces back to Greek spathē, meaning "blade of a sword" or "oar") is also the root of the word spade - as in the playing card suit. (The digging implement "spade" is also a relative though the connection is less direct.)

Examples of epaulet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The minimalist take subtracts the bells and whistles of the original design made with epaulets for soldiers and comes in a free-flowing finish that isn’t as rigid as the Chelsea. —Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025

Indonesian military chief General Wiranto (L) fixes Prabowo's epaulets at a military ceremony in Jakarta on May 28, 1998. —Charlie Campbell / Jakarta, TIME, 14 Oct. 2024

This season was no different: lime green raincoats with epaulets and puffy pockets were perfect for a rainy spring day, while airy bouclé tanks came with hoods and scarves, allowing the wearer to adjust for the warmest or coldest of days. —Tianwei Zhang, WWD, 17 Sep. 2024

So Fitoussi established a subliminal throughline starting with the intimidatingly icy all-white outfit Camille wears to greet Emily in Chamonix: an oversize Frankie Shop wool coat with epaulets, Moncler moon boots and gloves, and a Balmain sweater with a sleek, sinister-looking hood. —Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 12 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French épaulette, diminutive of épaule shoulder, from Old French espalle, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade, spoon, diminutive of Latin spatha spoon, sword — more at spade

First Known Use

1778, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

epaulet

noun

ep·​au·​let

variants also epaulette

ˌep-ə-ˈlet 

ˈep-ə-ˌlet

: a shoulder ornament on a uniform especially of a military or naval officer