brevet

American  

[bruh-vet, brev-it] / brəˈvɛt, ˈbrɛv ɪt /

noun

1. a commission promoting a military officer to a higher rank without increase of pay and with limited exercise of the higher rank, often granted as an honor immediately before retirement.

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verb (used with object)

brevetted, brevetting, breveted, breveting

1. to appoint, promote, or honor by brevet.

brevet British  

/ ˈbrɛvɪt /

noun

1. a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold temporarily a higher military rank without the appropriate pay and allowances

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verb

1. (tr) to promote by brevet

Other Word Forms

• brevetcy noun

Etymology

Origin of brevet

1325–75; Middle English < Anglo-French; Old French brievet. See brief, -et

Example Sentences

I hereby grant you the rank of brevet colonel in the army of the level-headed, Pacific Command.

From Fox News • Nov. 27, 2019

Rolling in after 407km, we got our brevet cards stamped and tucked into warming bowls of homemade daal.

From The Guardian • May 31, 2018

The use of brevet jurists was proposed last year by the American Board of Trial Advocates, an association of Western lawyers.

From Time Magazine Archive

Cavalry drew fresh supplies from the hold of the Far West, galloped off under command of a dashing, handsome 37-year-old brevet major general who wore a flowing red tie and had distinguished himself at Gettysburg.

From Time Magazine Archive

It may embalm foolish flies in its amber, and it is a brevet of immortality—that is, as immortality goes; a brief thing, but a man's boast.

From Unicorns by Huneker, James

Related Words

• agency
• authority
• delegation
• office