I. brə̇ˈvet, esp Brit ˈbrevə̇t noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English brevet, brevette, from Middle French brevet, from Old French, diminutive of bref, brief letter — more at brief
1. obsolete : a written official or authoritative message
2. : an official document from a government granting a privilege, title, or dignity
3. : a commission giving a military officer higher nominal rank than that for which he receives pay ; specifically : such a commission, carrying no right of command, that may be conferred by the president of the United States by and with the consent of the Senate upon officers of the Army and Marine Corps for distinguished conduct and public service in presence of the enemy
discharged with the brevet rank of lieutenant colonel
Brevet Major John Doe
II. transitive verb
( brevetted or breveted ; brevetted or breveted ; brevetting or breveting ; brevets )
: to confer rank upon by or as if by brevet