n. A rosette worn in a hat as an office or party badge.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. A badge, usually in the form of a rosette, or knot, and generally worn upon the hat; -- used as an indication of military or naval service, or party allegiance, and in England as a part of the livery to indicate that the wearer is the servant of a military or naval officer.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. A clasp, button, or other fastening used to secure and hold up the cock of the hat; hence, any knot or rosette of ribbon, leather, worsted, or other material, worn on the hat.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. an ornament (such as a knot of ribbon or a rosette) usually worn on the hat
Word Usage
"At the bottom of every soldier's haversack there is an old and worn tricolour cockade, which is there ready to be fetched out at a moment's notice, and will be fetched out at the mere sound of the Corsican's voice."