sennet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareSpecialist (Theatre/Historical/Archaic)
Quick answer
What does “sennet” mean?
A signal call on a trumpet or cornet, used in Elizabethan theatre to announce the entrance or exit of a group of actors.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A signal call on a trumpet or cornet, used in Elizabethan theatre to announce the entrance or exit of a group of actors.
More broadly, any similar formal or ceremonial fanfare, especially in historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional differences in usage, as the term belongs to a fixed historical context.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of historical authenticity and theatrical tradition.
Frequency
Equally rare and specialised in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “sennet” in a Sentence
The sennet sounded.A sennet is played.They entered to a sennet.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sennet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- To sennet is rare, but a director might ask to 'sennet them on'.
- The stage manager decided to sennet the king's entrance.
American English
- To sennet is rare, but the composer scored a section to sennet the arrival.
- They will sennet the procession as per the original script.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theatre history and Shakespearean studies.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used as a stage direction term in critical editions of Renaissance plays.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sennet”
- Confusing it with 'sonnet' (the poem) in writing.
- Using it in a modern, non-theatrical context.
- Pronouncing it like 'senate'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Sennet' is a trumpet call. 'Sonnet' is a type of poem (e.g., Shakespeare's sonnets). They are homophones but have completely different meanings.
Typically no. It's a historical term. Modern productions might use a 'fanfare' or a specific musical cue, but the term 'sennet' is used to be faithful to historical stage directions.
You would most likely find it in academic texts about Elizabethan theatre, in critical editions of Shakespeare's or his contemporaries' plays, or in detailed historical novels set in that period.
It is pronounced /ˈsɛnɪt/ (SEN-it), identical to how you would say the word 'sonnet'.
A signal call on a trumpet or cornet, used in Elizabethan theatre to announce the entrance or exit of a group of actors.
Sennet is usually specialist (theatre/historical/archaic) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Exit, pursued by a bear, after a sennet. (paraphrase of a famous stage direction)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The SENate in ancient Rome might enter to a SENnet.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOUND IS A SIGNAL FOR CEREMONIAL TRANSITION.
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the word 'sennet' most accurately used?