AIGRETTE

aigrette, aigret

(noun) a long plume (especially one of egret feathers) worn on a hat or a piece of jewelry in the shape of a plume

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

aigrette (plural aigrettes)

A feather or plume, or feather-shaped item, used as an adornment or ornament.

(ornithology) The lesser white heron.

Synonym: egret

The feathery crown of some seeds (such as the dandelion).

Source: Wiktionary


Ai"gret, Ai*grette, n. Etym: [F., a sort of white heron, with a tuft of feathers on its head; a tuft of feathers; dim. of the same word as heron. See Heron, and cf. Egret, Egrette.]

1. (Zoöl.)

Definition: The small white European heron. See Egret.

2. A plume or tuft for the head composed of feathers, or of gems, etc. Prescott.

3. A tuft like that of the egret. (Bot.)

Definition: A feathery crown of seed; egret; as, the aigrette or down of the dandelion or the thistle.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

23 May 2025

THOUGHTFULLY

(adverb) showing consideration and thoughtfulness; “he had thoughtfully brought with him some food to share”


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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