The Collaborative International Dictionary
Aiguillette \Ai`guil*lette"\, n. [F. See Aglet.]
A point or tag at the end of a fringe or lace; an aglet.
One of the ornamental tags, cords, or loops on some military and naval uniforms.
Wiktionary
alt. (alternative spelling of aiglet English) (a metal tip, on a ribbon or cord that facilitated lacing two parts of a garment together.) n. (alternative spelling of aiglet English) (a metal tip, on a ribbon or cord that facilitated lacing two parts of a garment together.)
Wikipedia
An aiguillette (from French "aiguillette", small needle) is an ornamental braided cord most often worn on uniforms, but may also be observed on other costumes such as academic dress, where it will denote an honour. Originally, the word "aiguillette" referred to the lacing used to fasten plate armor together. As such, a knot or loop arrangement was used which sometimes hung from the shoulder.
Aiguillettes should not be confused with lanyards, which are cords also worn from the shoulder (or around the neck), but do not have the pointed aiguillette tips (see Aiguillette (ornament)) and are usually of fibre rather than gold or silver wire, and often not braided.
An aiguillette, aguillette or aiglet (from French aiguille "needle") is a decorative tag or tip for a cord or ribbon, usually of gold and sometimes set with gemstones or enameled. Small cords and ribbon bows tipped with pairs of aiguilettes were fashionable ornaments in the 16th and early 17th centuries.
In contemporary military and civil uniforms, an aiguillette is an ornamental braided cord with a similar metal tip, derived from armor fastenings. The plastic or metal aglet on a shoe lace is also a direct descendant.
Usage examples of "aiguillette".
He carried a hand-blaster in a shiny white holster hanging from a white Sam Browne belt, a sparkling brass whistle was suspended from the lapel of his overcoat, and a scarlet and gold aiguillette was wrapped around his shoulder.
Sidney Huff and a lieutenant colonel carrying a briefcase and wearing the aiguillette of an aide-de-camp came in and stood by the door.
Frenchman, making one of his best bows, and playing gracefully with the aiguillettes that danced upon his breast, proceeded in courteous accents to deliver his mission.
Gold aiguillettes adorned both shoulders, and an electric blue sash slashed across his chest.
She noticed that the two EAs, distinctive in the gold aiguillettes draped over their left shoulders, stood apart from the others and indulged in a subdued conversation.
A group of officers had appeared there, their aiguillettes and epaulettes a dark gold in the wintry light, and in their midst were the chasseur in his red pelisse, and the civilian in his black coat and white boots.
He wore a plain dark blue uniform with no badges of rank, but Pierie Ducos needed no gaudy chains or stars, no tassels or epaulettes or aiguillettes to signify his authority.
Gold aiguillettes adorned both shoulders, and an electric blue sash slashed across his chest.