Cor"net (k?r"n?t), n. [F.
cornet, m. (for senses 1 & 2), cornette, f. & m.
(for senses 3 & 4), dim. of corne horn, L. cornu.
See Horn.] 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.
