cornet

noun (1)

cor·net | \ kȯr-ˈnet

, British usually ˈkȯ-nit\

Definition of cornet

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a valved brass instrument resembling a trumpet in design and range but having a shorter partly conical tube and less brilliant tone

2 : something shaped like a cone: such as

a : a piece of paper twisted for use as a container

b : a cone-shaped pastry shell that is often filled with whipped cream

c British : an ice-cream cone

cornet

noun (2)

Definition of cornet (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the standard of a cavalry troop

2a : the onetime fifth grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop who carried the standard

b : the onetime lowest commissioned rank in the U.S. cavalry

Other Words from cornet Did You Know? Learn More about cornet

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Did You Know?

Like the trumpet, the cornet is a brass instrument with three valves, but its bore is somewhat more conical. Its range parallels that of the trumpet. It evolved in the 1820s, and its agility made it a very popular solo instrument. It often displaced the trumpet in 19th-century orchestras, and it preceded the trumpet in modern dance and jazz bands. Recent developments have made the two instruments very similar, and the cornet's popularity has waned considerably as a result.

History and Etymology for cornet

Noun (1)

Middle English cornet, cornette "six-holed wooden wind instrument" (now usually cornett or cornetto), borrowed from Middle French cornet, from corn "horn" (going back to Old French, going back to Latin cornum, cornū) + -et -et entry 1 — more at horn

Noun (2)

borrowed from Middle French cornette "lappet terminating a woman's headdress, pennon, standard of a troop, officer holding the standard," from corne "horn, wimple with horn-like appendages," going back to Latin cornua, plural (taken as singular) of cornū "horn" — more at horn

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