Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a brevet commission.
A temporary higher rank, for example, a captain being a brevet colonel. It was not unusual for British colonial officers on loan to another regiment to be temporarily classed as a higher rank in that regiment but to paid for the lesser rank of their actual regiment. (Old French, diminutive of brief letter)
the conferring of nominal military rank without corresponding pay.
a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)
promote somebody by brevet, in the military
a commission giving a military officer higher nominal rank than that for which he receives pay
A commission promoting a military officer in rank without an increase in pay.
The conferring of promotion in rank on an officer, usually for services, but with no right to extra pay.
An honorary promotion in rank, usually for merit. Officers did not usually function at or receive pay for their brevet rank.