BREVET

brevet

(noun) a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)

brevet

(verb) promote somebody by brevet, in the military

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

brevet (plural brevets)

A military document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but without an increase in pay.

A warrant from the government, granting a privilege, title, or dignity, as in France.

(by extension) An authoritative grant or mark of recognition; a seal of approval.

An organized, long-distance bicycle ride — not a race, but a test of endurance — which follows a designated but unmarked route passing through check points.

Verb

brevet (third-person singular simple present brevets, present participle brevetting or breveting, simple past and past participle brevetted or breveted)

(military) To promote by brevet.

Source: Wiktionary

Bre*vet", n. Etym: [F. brevet, LL. brevetum, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.]

1. A warrant from the government, granting a privilege, title, or dignity. [French usage].

2. (Mil.)

Definition: A commission giving an officer higher rank than that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of an officer.

Note: In the United States army, rank by brevet is conferred, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for "gallant actions or meritorious services." A brevet rank gives no right of command in the particular corps to which the officer brevetted belongs, and can be exercised only by special assignment of the President, or on court martial, and detachments composed of different corps, with pay of the brevet rank when on such duty.

Bre*vet", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brevetted (; p. pr. & vb. n. Brevetting.] (Mil.)

Definition: To confer rank upon by brevet.

Bre*vet", a. (Mil.)

Definition: Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a brevet commission.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition