often as modifier
- a former type of military commission conferred especially for outstanding service, by which an officer was promoted to a higher rank without the corresponding pay名誉晋级令（无相应提薪）：
a brevet lieutenant.
名誉晋升的陆军中尉。
词源
late Middle English （denoting an official letter， especially a papal indulgence）： from Old French brievet 'little letter'， diminutive of bref.