Aglet

The word aglet has a French origin and is similar to the term "aiguillette" although the latter generally refers to an ornamentive chord on a military uniform. The purpose of an aglet is to contain the end of a shoelace (or similar cord) to restrict it from fraying. These devices have been used on shoelaces since the Dark Ages. Bronze aglets have been found in Merovingian graves. Modern aglets are usually made from plastic and can sometimes break. A variety of techniques exist to replace aglets.