\E"gret\, n. [See {Aigret}, {Heron}.]
1. (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, or
   Herodias, egretta}); the great egret ({A. alba}); the
   little egret ({A. garzetta}), of Europe; and the American
   snowy egret ({A. candidissima}).
         A bunch of egrets killed for their plumage. --G. W.
                                               Cable.
2. A plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress,
   or anything imitating such an ornament; an aigrette.
3. (Bot.) The flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or
   achenes, as the down of the thistle.
4. (Zo["o]l.) A kind of ape.