epaulet
UK[ˈep.ə.let]US[ˈep.ə.let]
n
a decorative piece of material on the shoulder of a coat or jacket, especially on a military uniform.
Morpheme Breakdown
epaule
et
epaule
shoulder
et
diminutive suffix
Etymology
the word 'epaulet' entered english from the french 'épaulette', a diminutive form of 'épaule', meaning 'shoulder'. the french term itself evolved from the latin 'spatula', which referred broadly to a flat tool or object and, by extension, the shoulder blade. the diminutive suffix '-ette' (anglicized here as '-et') indicates a small item attached to the shoulder. thus, the literal 'little shoulder' evolved into the specific modern meaning of a decorative shoulder piece on a uniform, signifying rank or ornamentation.
Analysis
Structure: epaule (shoulder) + et (diminutive suffix)
epaule is from old french 'espaule', meaning 'shoulder', ultimately from latin 'spatula' (flat piece, shoulder blade). et is a french diminutive suffix.
Examples
the general's uniform was adorned with golden epaulets.
she sewed an epaulet onto the shoulder of her costume jacket.
the epaulets on his coat indicated his regiment.