\Ai"gret\, Aigrette \Ai*grette\, n. [F., a sort of white
heron, with a tuft of feathers on its head; a tuft of
feathers; dim. of the same word as heron. See {Heron}, and
cf. {Egret}, {Egrette}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) The small white European heron. See {Egret}.
2. A plume or tuft for the head composed of feathers, or of
   gems, etc. --Prescott.
3. A tuft like that of the egret. (Bot.) A feathery crown of
   seed; egret; as, the aigrette or down of the dandelion or
   the thistle.