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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. The younger of two brothers; a younger brother or son; the youngest son. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cadet of an ancient and noble family. Wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ All the undergraduates at Annapolis are Naval cadets. The distinction between Cadet midshipmen and Cadet engineers was abolished by Act of Congress in 1882. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. In New Zealand, a young gentleman learning sheep farming at a station; also, any young man attached to a sheep station. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. A young man who makes a business of ruining girls to put them in brothels. [ Slang, U. S. ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. The position, rank, or commission of a cadet; as, to get a cadetship.