in antiquity, an officer in the Roman army, whose business was to aid and assist the military tribune in quality of a lieutenant.

The cornicularius went the rounds in lieu of the tribune, visited the watch, and were nearly what the aids major are in the French army.

The denomination cornicularius was given them from a little horn, called corniculum, which they used in giving orders to the soldiers: though Salmagius derives it from corniculum, the crest of an head-piece; it being an observation of Pliny, that they wore iron or braids horns on their helmets; and that these were called cornicula.

In the Notitia Imperii we find a kind of secretary or register of the same name. His business was to attend the judge, and enter down his sentences and decisions. The critics derive the word, in this sense, from corniculum, a little horn to put ink in.