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-a-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.