CORNET, in modern military economy, denotes an officer in the cavalry who bears the ensign or colours of a troop.
The cornet is the third officer in the company, and commands in the absence of the captain and lieutenant. He takes his title from his ensign, which is square; and is supposed to be called by that name from cornu, because placed on the wings, which form a kind of points or horns of the army. Others derive the name from coronet; alleging, that it was the ancient custom for these officers to wear coronets or garlands on their heads.