Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Cadet?

\Ca*det"\, n. [F. cadet a younger or the youngest son or brother, dim. fr. L. caput head; i. e., a smaller head of the family, after the first or eldest. See {Chief}, and cf. {Cad}.] 1. The younger of two brothers; a younger brother or son; the youngest son. The cadet of an ancient and noble family. --Wood. 2. (Mil.) (a) A gentleman who carries arms in a regiment, as a volunteer, with a view of acquiring military skill and obtaining a commission. (b) A young man in training for military or naval service; esp. a pupil in a military or naval school, as at West Point, Annapolis, or Woolwich. Note: All the undergraduates at Annapolis are Naval cadets. The distinction between Cadet midshipmen and Cadet engineers was abolished by Act of Congress in 1882.
\Ca*det"\, n. 1. In New Zealand, a young gentleman learning sheep farming at a station; also, any young man attached to a sheep station. 2. A young man who makes a business of ruining girls to put them in brothels. [Slang, U. S.]