noun

cornet

KOR-nit/ˈkɔːrnɪt/

A brass instrument like a trumpet but with a mellower tone.

The compact cornet has three valves and a flared bell.

One recognizable short-model brass cornet, compact tightly looped tubing and characteristic shepherds-crook bend, three piston valves and short mouthpiece, flared bell.

Etymology

A cornet is literally a “small horn,” linking the instrument to horns used for sounding. The modern brass instrument’s name shortens a phrase meaning “cornet with pistons,” referring to its valves.

In context

William Osborne1:19

I meant a cornet and he said I got too many cornets

John Swallow Speaks About His Life In Music

More examples

She polished the cornet's brass bell.
The band featured a cornet solo.
He pressed the cornet's valves while sustaining the note.

Forms

cornet · cornets

Similar words

trumpet: A trumpet generally has a brighter tone and different tubing proportions; a cornet is more compact and conical.
bugle: A bugle typically lacks valves; a cornet normally has three.