brevet

Brevet is a term of French origin used in English to denote an official warrant, certificate, or commission that grants a right, privilege, or rank. The word comes from the French brevet, meaning an official written authorization.

In military usage, a brevet is a warrant that allows an officer to hold a higher rank for a limited period or in honor, without the pay or full authority of that rank. It was widely used in 18th– and 19th-century armies, including Britain and the United States, to recognize gallantry or meritorious service. Brevet rank often appeared in formal lists or orders and could confer prestige even if actual command responsibilities remained at the officer’s substantive rank. In modern armed forces, brevet promotions are rare and usually ceremonial or honorary.

In civil and legal contexts, brevet can refer to a formal patent or grant of rights issued by a sovereign or government. In French law, brevet d’invention means a patent of invention; in English legal history, letters patent or brevet patents granted monopolies or privileges. Today, patent systems use the term patent rather than brevet, but historical documents may still be described as a brevet or letters patent.

Beyond these uses, the word may denote any official certificate authorizing a credential, license, or appointment. The term is primarily encountered in historical or specialist contexts; contemporary usage tends to specify the domain (military brevet rank, patent, or letters patent) to avoid ambiguity.