Definition

Noun: 1. A decorative plume: A long, ornamental feather, especially one from an egret, historically worn on a hat or headdress. 2. A piece of jewelry: An ornament or piece of jewelry, often in the shape of a feather or plume, worn as an accessory.

Usage Examples

• The vintage hat was adorned with an elegant aigret of white egret feathers.
• She wore a diamond aigret in her hair for the gala, its delicate form shimmering with each movement.
• In the 19th century, the demand for aigrets for fashion nearly drove some egret species to extinction.

Advanced Usage

• Historical and ethical context: The use of the term aigret is often associated with historical fashion, particularly from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its use declined significantly due to conservation movements protecting egrets and other plume birds.

Variants and Related Words

• Aigrette (noun): This is a common alternate spelling of aigret. The two words are used interchangeably to mean the same thing.
• Egret (noun): A type of wading bird from whose plumage aigrets were traditionally made.
• Plume (noun): A general term for a long, soft feather or group of feathers, often used for ornamentation.

Synonyms

• Plume
• Feather ornament
• Panache (when referring to a tuft or plume of feathers, especially on a helmet)

Related Idioms or Phrases

• While there is no common idiom using the word aigret itself, the related word plume appears in idioms like:
  • "A borrowed plume": An honor or credit taken falsely or assumed from someone else.

Noun

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