aglet

/ˈæɡlət/
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A fitted tip that protects the end of a lace or cord, with older and specialist uses for decorative metal tags, points, and uniform ornaments.

Examples

  • The repair kit included clear aglets for worn-out shoelaces.
  • Silver aglets decorated the ribbons on the ceremonial dress.
  • A bright red aglet matched the trim on the sneakers.
  • The tailor used an aglet to finish the point that tied the sleeve.
  • Without an aglet, the lace would not slide through the eyelet.

Similar words

ornament
aiglet
cord tip
sheath
lace tip
tag
end cap
lace end
point
pendant

Meanings

Protective tip on a lace or cord

noun
everyday
neutral
A small plastic or metal sheath fixed to the end of a shoelace, lace, drawstring, or cord so the fibres do not fray and the end passes easily through holes.

Examples

  • The plastic aglet kept the shoelace from fraying.
  • She pinched a metal aglet onto the end of the hoodie cord.
  • Without an aglet, the lace would not slide through the eyelet.
  • The repair kit included clear aglets for worn-out shoelaces.
  • A bright red aglet matched the trim on the sneakers.
  • The drawstring lost its aglet in the wash.
  • Factory machines wrap plastic around each lace end to form an aglet.

Similar words

Ornamental clothing tag or pendant

noun
fashion history
technical
A decorative metal tag, stud, cord, or pendant worn on clothing, historically often attached to the ends of points, ribbons, or laces that fastened garments.

Examples

  • The museum displayed a copper-alloy aglet from a seventeenth-century garment.
  • Silver aglets decorated the ribbons on the ceremonial dress.
  • The tailor used an aglet to finish the point that tied the sleeve.
  • Old portraits often show aglets shining at the ends of laces.
  • The uniform's braided cord ended in polished metal aglets.
  • Archaeologists found a rolled metal aglet with traces of the original tie.
  • In costume notes, aglet may mean a decorative pendant rather than a shoelace tip.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English aglet and related forms, borrowed from Middle French aguillette, a diminutive of aguille meaning needle or pin, ultimately from Latin acus meaning needle.

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