1. Military:
* A document conferring a military rank or commission without actual service in that rank. This is the most common use of the word. It's often given to officers who have shown exceptional merit or have been promoted based on their experience and qualifications even if they haven't served in that rank yet.
* A temporary or honorary rank. A brevet rank might be granted for a specific period or for a particular mission, and the officer might not actually hold the rank permanently.
2. General:
* A certificate or diploma. In a more general sense, "brevet" can refer to any document that officially certifies someone's qualification or accomplishment. For example, a "brevet de pilote" (pilot's license) or a "brevet d'inventeur" (inventor's patent).
The word "brevet" originates from the French language, and it is still used in some French-speaking countries today.