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