EPAULET

[ep.au.let] also ep.au.lette n [F epaulette, dim. of epaule shoulder, fr. LL spatula shoulder blade, spoon, dim. of L spatha spoon, sword--more at spade] (1783): something that ornaments or protects the shoulder: 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 -- ep.au.let.ted adj