BREVET' (OF. brierct. Fr. breret, dim. of bref, from Lat. breris, short, the commission heing a brief writing). A military endowing its recipient with a higher rank and title than he would otherwise be entitled to, or than that for which he draws pay. in French usage it applies to commissions in general. In England and the United States it has particular application to a special or higher commission, which is conferred as a mark of distinction, but which does not carry with it any increase in pay. In the United States such officers are addressed. officially and otherwise by their brevet rank; but in England such is the case only by courtesy, while officially both titles are used, as, for exam ple, "Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Smith." Originally the term designated a pro motion given on such occasions as a coronation. or the termination of a great war, and had i.ts origin during the reign of James II. (1685-8S) ; but it was abused so frequently and to such an extent, by the general award of brevet commis sions, that in 1854, during and after the Crimean War, its bestowal was limited strictly to cases of very distinguished service in the field, and on the principle of seniority. A regimental officer
holding a brevet rank only takes the precedence due his rank when in the field ; for regimental . purposes he ranks according to his regimental seniority. In the United States brevet titles were given during the Indian. Civil, and Spanish wars for 'conspicuous gallantry,' gallant and meritorious service.' etc. Such officers are rec ommended to the President, who nominates them and sends the commissions to the Senate for con firmation. Brevet commissions range in rank from first lieutenant to lieutenant-general. In England brevet commissions are confined to not lower than the rank of captain, or higher than lieutenant-colonel.