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

Instead of settling down to the law after he left Harvard, 26-year-old Charles went dashing off to the Civil War, rose to the rank of brevet brigadier general.

From Time Magazine Archive

In his own absence from Washington, Johnson has increasingly relied on the Defense Secretary to act as unofficial brevet deputy President.

From Time Magazine Archive

The "major" came afterwards "by brevet," and Vinton had settled down into contentedly following the old life, though in a less exciting time and exalted capacity.

From Kitty's Conquest by King, Charles

Related Words

• agency
• authority
• delegation
• office