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, / herodias, egretta); the great egret (a. alba); the little egret (a. garzetta), of europe; and the american snowy egret (a. candidissima).-a plume or tuft of feathers worn as a part of a headdress, or anything imitating such an ornament; an aigrette.-the flying feathery or hairy crown of seeds or achenes, as the down of the thistle.-a kind of ape.