Brevet

(Synop., § 130), n. [Fr. brevet, L. Lat. brevetum, from Lat. brevis, short. See BRIEF.]

1. A royal or imperial warrant, granting a favor, privilege, title, or dignity.
2. (Mil.) A commission in the army at large, in distinction from a commission in a particular regiment or corps.

☞ 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,” and gives the right to command, according to such rank, outside of the particular corps in which the officer brevetted is regularly mustered and paid, as in detachments and courts martial composed of different regiments or corps, with corresponding pay when on duty. Scott.