aigret, aigrette

[Fr. aigrette.] A. Ordinary Language: A tuft, as feathers, or a small bunch, as of diamonds. "Still at that Wizard's feet their spoils he hurled Ingots of ore from rich Potosi borne. Crowns by Caciques, aigrettes by Omrahs worn." Scott : Vision of Don Roderick , xxxl. B. Technically: I. Botany. [EGRET.] II. Zoology: 1. [EGRET.] of 132 * aiguilette (āg'-wil-ět), s. [AGLET.] + aiguille (ag'-will), s. [Fr. = a needle.] 1. Ord. Lang. A needle-shaped peak of rock. and where the aiguilles above present no kind of way for crowning the heights and outflanking the defenders."- Times , Oct. 29, 1877. 2. Mining: An instrument for boring cylindrical holes in the rock to receive charges of gunpowder for blasting purposes.