Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CORNET, n.1 The town standard-bearer at the annual riding of the marches in Hawick, Kelso, Peebles, Dumfries, and other Border towns. He is the leader of the various ceremonies at this festival. In Lanark called the Lord Cornet. In 1975 still in use in Hawick, the Dmf. burghs, Lanark and Peebles.[Gen. ′kɔrnət, but kɔr′nɛt in Hawick (Lnk.3)]
Rxb. 1705 Craig & Laing Hawick Tradition (1898) 150:The Baylyeas and Counsell [of Hawick] nominat James Scott, called of Westport, to be Corronett for that yeare. Rxb.1706 in J. Wilson Annals of Hawick (1850) 116:
The person elected cornet, having declined to carry the pennil or colour, caused ane great disturbance. Rxb.1845 Stat. Acc.2 III. 399:
The honour of carrying the Standard of the town devolves upon the Cornet, a young man previously elected for the purpose. Rxb.1893 N.E.D. s.v. Cornett, n.2, 5. (b):
The gallop out of the town [Hawick] is the Cornet's Chase. Bwk.1930 W. McConachie Glamour of the Glen xviii.:
The custom of Riding the Marches [of Lauder] was resumed in 1923. . . . This new Standard-bearer or Cornet becomes the man of the moment. Lnk.1937 M. M. Banks Cal. Customs I. 115:
There has been a Lord Cornet, with few breaks, since 1685. Lnk.1937Scotsman (17 April):
The Lord Cornet holds office for a year, and his duties include leading the annual perambulation of the burgh marches, and taking part in the ceremonials connected with Lanimer Day [in Lanark]. Dmf.1965 Dmf. Standard (13 Feb.) 15:
Nominations for the positions of Cornet, Ensign and Cornet's Lass are invited. [Cornet, in the sense of standard-bearer, is now no longer in use in Eng. military parlance. O.Sc. has cornet, a cavalry officer who carried the colours, 1586 (D.O.S.T.), O.Fr. cornet, dim. of corne, a horn (Cotgrave).]
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"Cornet n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 18 Apr 2024 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/cornet_n1>
