sennet

[sen-it]

noun

any of several small barracudas, as Sphyraena borealis (northern sennet), ranging along the eastern coast of North and Central America.

Origin of sennet

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain

sennet

[sen-it]

noun (in Elizabethan drama)

a set of notes played on the trumpet or cornet to mark the entrance or exit of a group of actors.

Origin of sennet

First recorded in 1580–90; variant of signet

sennet

[sen-it]

noun

sennit.

sennit

or sen·net

[sen-it]

noun

a flat, braided cordage, formed by plaiting strands of rope yarn or other fiber, used as small stuff aboard ships.

braided straw or grass used in making hats.

Also sin·net [sin-it] /ˈsɪn ɪt/.

Origin of sennit

First recorded in 1760–70; origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sennet

Historical Examples of sennet

Every description of mat, from the sennet to the thick pile mat worked in patterns, was made.
The Vagrancy Problem.
William Harbutt Dawson
These seem to point to a derivation of the word from sonare, and thus the spelling ought to be sonnet, not sennet.
Shakespeare and Music
Edward W. Naylor
Sennet appears to be a particular tune or mode of martial musick.
Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies
Samuel Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for sennet

sennet

noun

a fanfare: used as a stage direction in Elizabethan drama

Word Origin for sennet

C16: probably variant of signet (meaning ``a sign'')

sennit

noun

a flat braided cordage used on ships

plaited straw, grass, palm leaves, etc, as for making hats

Word Origin for sennit

C17: of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012