WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Cor"net (kr"nt)
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. cornet, m. (for senses 1 & 2), cornette, f. & m. (for senses 3 & 4), dim. of corne horn, L. cornu. See Horn.]
Definition : 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-?-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. Etym: [Cf. Coronet.] (Far.)

Defn: See Coronet, 2.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913