Ca*det" (?), n. [F. cadet a younger or the youngest son or brother, dim. fr. L. caput head; i. e., a smaller head of the family, after the first or eldest. See Chief, and cf. Cad.]
1.
The younger of two brothers; a younger brother or son; the youngest son.
The cadet of an ancient and noble family.
Wood.
2. (Mil.)
(a)
A gentleman who carries arms in a regiment, as a volunteer, with a view of acquiring military skill and obtaining a commission.
(b)
A young man in training for military or naval service; esp. a pupil in a military or naval school, as at West Point, Annapolis, or Woolwich.
⇒ All the undergraduates at Annapolis are Naval cadets. The distinction between Cadet midshipmen and Cadet engineers was abolished by Act of Congress in 1882.
© Webster 1913
Ca*det", n.
1.
In New Zealand, a young gentleman learning sheep farming at a station; also, any young man attached to a sheep station.
2.
A young man who makes a business of ruining girls to put them in brothels. [Slang, U. S.]
© Webster 1913