cadet Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a military trainee (as at a military academy)
    plebe.

WordNet

Ca*det" noun
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  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. ✍ All the undergraduates at Annapolis are Naval cadets. The distinction between Cadet midshipmen and Cadet engineers was abolished by Act of Congress in 1882.

Webster 1913