Gorgets

/ˈɡɔrdʒəts/ noun

Definition

Plural of gorget; pieces of armor protecting the throat, or ornamental neckwear, or distinctive colored throat patches on birds.

Etymology

Plural of 'gorget,' from Old French 'gorge' (throat) plus '-et' (diminutive), ultimately from Latin 'gurga' meaning throat or whirlpool.

Kelly Says

Ornithologists use 'gorget' to describe the iridescent throat patches on hummingbirds—the ruby-throated hummingbird's gorget is so brilliant it seems to light up, and the military armor term and the bird's throat marking are both named for the same body part concept.

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