noun
also ep·au·lette |epə|le]t, ˈepələ̇], usu ]d.+V
( -s )
Etymology: French épaulette, diminutive of épaule shoulder, from Old French espaule, from Late Latin spatula, spathula shoulder blade, spoon for stirring, diminutive of Latin spatha wooden spoon, sword, from Greek spathē blade of a loom, oar, or sword — more at spade
1. : something that ornaments or protects the shoulder: as
a. : an ornamental fringed usually gold-colored shoulder pad on a uniform (as the full-dress uniform formerly worn by military officers)
b. : any one of the small articulated shoulder pieces on a suit of plate armor — compare pauldron
c. : an ornamental strip sewn across the shoulder of a dress
d. : a shoulder loop (as on a trench coat)
2. : a 5-sided step cut of a gem
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E epaulet
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