I. bri-ˈvet, chiefly Brit ˈbre-vit noun
Etymology: Middle English, document, from Anglo-French, diminutive of bref letter — more at brief
Date: 1689
: a commission giving a military officer higher nominal rank than that for which pay is received
II. transitive verb
( bre·vet·ted or brev·et·ed ; bre·vet·ting or brev·et·ing )
Date: 1819
: to confer rank upon by brevet