The Collaborative International Dictionary
Egret \E"gret\, n. [See Aigret, Heron.]
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(Zo["o]l.) The name of several species of herons which bear plumes on the back. They are generally white. Among the best known species are the American egret ( Ardea egretta syn. Herodias egretta); the great egret ( Ardea alba); the little egret ( Ardea garzetta), of Europe; and the American snowy egret ( Ardea candidissima).
A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage.
--G. W. Cable. A plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress, or anything imitating such an ornament; an aigrette.
(Bot.) The flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or achenes, as the down of the thistle.
(Zo["o]l.) A kind of ape.