cornetcy

English

Etymology

Formed as cornet (“the fifth commissioned officer in a troop of cavalry”) +‎ -cy.

Pronunciation

• (General American) enPR: kôrʹnĭtsē, IPA^(key): /ˈkɔɹnɪtsi/
• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: kôrʹnĭtsē, IPA^(key): /ˈkɔːnɪtsi/

Noun

cornetcy (plural cornetcies)

1. (military, historical) The rank, role, or position of a cornet.
   • 1761, “Jod.”, in A New and General Biographical Dictionary, volume 12, page 477:

     His uncle […] diverted him from that pursuit, and gave him a cornetcy in his own regiment.

   • 1809, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington [aut.], Lieutenant-Colonel John Gurwood [compil.], Wellington Despatches, volume 5, page 141:

     I shall recommend your friend for an Ensigncy. Should you prefer a Cornetcy for him, I may be able to give him one.

   • 1885 May 9th, Manchester Evening News, page 3, column 1

     He was afterwards gazetted to a Cornetcy in the First Regiment of Life Guards.

Coordinate terms

• ensigncy (equivalent in an infantry regiment)

References

• “cornetcy” listed in the Oxford English Dictionary [2nd ed., 1989]