aigrette

[ ey-gret, ey-gret ]

/ ˈeɪ grɛt, eɪˈgrɛt /

a plume or tuft of feathers, especially the back plume of any of various herons, arranged as a head ornament.

a jeweled ornament depicting or suggesting this, usually worn in the hair or on a hat.

Origin of aigrette

1635–45; < French, equivalent to aigr- (< Germanic; compare Old High German heiger heron) + -ette -ette. See egret, heron

aiea, aif, aiga, aight, aiglet, aigrette, aiguille, aiguillette, aih, aiken, aikido

The Man glanced at the aigrette, smiled discreetly, and said nothing.

The Secret Trails |Charles G. D. Roberts
She had shaken hands with him and received her costume which was an aigrette and a peacock-feather fan.

Tutors' Lane |Wilmarth Lewis
We return to the room; she is the centre of the circle and seated; and they have placed the aigrette of flowers in her hair.

Madame Chrysantheme Complete |Pierre Loti
Miss Pritchett flushed and tossed her head till the aigrette in her smart little bonnet shook like a leaf.

A Lost Cause |Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull

Her daughter, Lady Dering, came also arrayed in a queenly dress of amber silk with an aigrette of feathers in her hair.

The Ivory Gate, a new edition |Walter Besant

aigrette

/ (ˈeɪɡrɛt, eɪˈɡrɛt) /

a long plume worn on hats or as a headdress, esp one of long egret feathers

an ornament or piece of jewellery in imitation of a plume of feathers

C19: French