/ee"grit, eg"rit, ee gret", ee"gret/ , n.
1. any of several usually white herons that grow long, graceful plumes during the breeding season, as Egretta garzetta (little egret) , of the Old World.
2. aigrette.
[ 1400-50; late ME egret ( e ) egret (cf. MF égreste, AIGRETTE), alter. (with -on exchanged for -et -ET) of dial. OF aigron ]