cornet

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A cap of paper twisted at the end, used by retailers to inclose small wares. Cotgrave. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ Cf. Coronet. ] (Far.) See Coronet, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Cornets-à-piston. [ F. ] (Mus.) A brass wind instrument, like the trumpet, furnished with valves moved by small pistons or sliding rods; a cornopean; a cornet. [ 1913 Webster ]