epaulet

[ ep-uh-let, -lit, ep-uh-let ]

/ ˈɛp əˌlɛt, -lɪt, ˌɛp əˈlɛt /

an ornamental shoulder piece worn on uniforms, chiefly by military officers.

Origin of epaulet

1775–85; < French épaulette, equivalent to épaule shoulder (< Latin spatula blade; see spatula) + -ette -ette

Haven't I my epaulet on my shoulder, to let everybody know I'm an officer?

Pencil Sketches |Eliza Leslie
Who would ever have expected to find a lover of nature with a republican epaulet?

Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852 |Various
There was Captain Battleax seated there, beautiful with a cocked-hat, and an epaulet, and gold braid.

The Fixed Period |Anthony Trollope
A furious rage seized him and he sought eagerly for a shot at the epaulet, but it disappeared.

The Masters of the Peaks |Joseph A. Altsheler

At length, the little man with the epaulet commenced a very prurient tale.

Rattlin the Reefer |Edward Howard