in the military art of the ancients, an instrument much in the nature of a trumpet; which when it only sounded, the ensigns were to march alone, without the soldiers; whereas, when the trumpet only sounded, the soldiers were to move without the ensigns. The cornets and bugle-boys sounded the charge and retreat; and the cornets and trumpets sounded during the course of the battle.

in the military art of the moderns, the third commission-officer in a troop of horse or dragoons. This is a very honourable post; he commands in the lieutenant's absence; his principal duty being to carry the standard, near the middle of the first rank of the squadron.