cornet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a brass musical instrument with a brilliant tone; has a narrow tube and a flared bell and is played by means of valves
    horn; trumpet; trump.

WordNet

Cor"net noun
Etymology
F. cornet, m. (for senses 1 & 2), cornette, f. & m. (for senses 3 & 4), dim. of corne horn, L. cornu. See Horn.
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) (a) An obsolete rude reed instrument (Ger. Zinken), of the oboe family. (b) A brass instrument, with cupped mouthpiece, and furnished with valves or pistons, now used in bands, and, in place of the trumpet, in orchestras. See Cornet-à-piston. (c) A certain organ stop or register.
  2. A cap of paper twisted at the end, used by retailers to inclose small wares. Cotgrave.
  3. (Mil.) (a) A troop of cavalry; -- so called from its being accompanied by a cornet player. Obs. "A body of five cornets of horse." Clarendon. (b) The standard of such a troop. Obs. (c) The lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, who carried the standard. The office was abolished in 1871.
  4. A headdress: (a) A square cap anciently worn as a mark of certain professions. (b) A part of a woman's headdress, in the 16th century.
  5. Cf. Coronet. (Far.) See Coronet, 2.

Webster 1913