cornett: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “cornett” mean?
A Renaissance wind instrument made of wood or ivory, with finger holes and a cup-shaped mouthpiece, known for its clear, vocal tone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Renaissance wind instrument made of wood or ivory, with finger holes and a cup-shaped mouthpiece, known for its clear, vocal tone.
In historical contexts, a curved brass instrument used in European music from the 15th to 17th centuries, distinct from the modern cornet.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both UK and US English use the spelling 'cornett' for the historical instrument. No significant regional variation in usage, though UK musicologists might more frequently encounter it in early music studies.
Connotations
Scholarly, historical, specialist.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language; appears almost exclusively in academic, musicological, or historical performance contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “cornett” in a Sentence
play + [the] + cornettthe + cornett + verb (sounds, plays)cornett + made of + materialVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cornett” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The consort will cornett the Gabrieli canzona.
American English
- The ensemble plans to cornett the Monteverdi piece.
adjective
British English
- The cornett part is particularly virtuosic.
American English
- She specializes in cornett repertoire.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in musicology, historical performance practice, and Renaissance studies.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term for a specific historical instrument in early music.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cornett”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cornett”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cornett”
- Misspelling as 'cornet' (the modern brass instrument).
- Pronouncing it like the modern 'cornet' (/ˈkɔː.nɪt/). The stress is typically on the second syllable for the historical instrument.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A cornett (with two 't's) is a Renaissance instrument, usually made of wood or ivory with finger holes. A cornet is a modern brass instrument with valves.
It was most popular from the late 15th century through the 17th century, particularly in art music and town bands.
It is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable: kor-NET (/kɔːˈnɛt/ in UK English).
'Cornetto' is the Italian name for the instrument, often used interchangeably in English scholarly writing, especially in musical scores.
A Renaissance wind instrument made of wood or ivory, with finger holes and a cup-shaped mouthpiece, known for its clear, vocal tone.
Cornett is usually technical/historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this word”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Cornett has two T's for its Two materials: wood and ivory, unlike the modern cornet.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable due to extreme rarity.
Practice
Quiz
What is a cornett?