Part 812

Breq"uet chain` (&?;). A watch-guard.

Brere (&?;), n. A brier. [Archaic] Chaucer.

Brest (&?;), 3d sing.pr. for Bursteth. [Obs.]

{ Brest, Breast } (&?;), n. (Arch.) A torus. [Obs.]

Bres"te (&?;), v. t. & i. [imp. Brast; p. p. Brusten, Borsten, Bursten.] To burst. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Brest"sum`mer (&?;), n. See Breastsummer.

Bret (&?;), n. (Zoöl.) See Birt.

Bret"ful (&?;), a. [OE. also brerdful, fr. brerd top, brim, AS. brerd.] Brimful. [Obs.] Chaucer.

Breth"ren (&?;), n.; pl. of Brother.

This form of the plural is used, for the most part, in solemn address, and in speaking of religious sects or fraternities, or their members.

Bret"on (&?;), a. [F. breton.] Of or relating to Brittany, or Bretagne, in France. -- n. A native or inhabitant of Brittany, or Bretagne, in France; also, the ancient language of Brittany; Armorican.

Brett (&?;), n. Same as Britzska.

Bret"tice (&?;), n.; pl. Brettices (&?;). [OE. bretasce, bretage, parapet, OF. bretesche wooden tower, F. bretèche, LL. breteschia, bertresca, prob. fr. OHG. bret, G. brett board; akin to E. board. See Board, n., and cf. Bartizan.] The wooden boarding used in supporting the roofs and walls of coal mines. See Brattice.

Bret"wal*da (&?;), n. [AS. Bretwalda, br&?;ten walda, a powerful ruler.] (Eng. Hist.) The official title applied to that one of the Anglo-Saxon chieftains who was chosen by the other chiefs to lead them in their warfare against the British tribes. Brande & C.

Bret"zel (&?;), n. [G.] See Pretzel.

Breve (brv), n. [It. & (in sense 2) LL. breve, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.] 1. (Mus.) A note or character of time, equivalent to two semibreves or four minims. When dotted, it is equal to three semibreves. It was formerly of a square figure (as thus: &?; ), but is now made oval, with a line perpendicular to the staff on each of its sides; -- formerly much used for choir service. Moore.

2. (Law) Any writ or precept under seal, issued out of any court.

3. (Print.) A curved mark [] used commonly to indicate the short quantity of a vowel.

4. (Zoöl.) The great ant thrush of Sumatra (Pitta gigas), which has a very short tail.

Bre*vet" (br*vt"; 277), n. [F. brevet, LL. brevetum, fr. L. brevis short. See Brief.] 1. A warrant from the government, granting a privilege, title, or dignity. [French usage].

2. (Mil.) A commission giving an officer higher rank than that for which he receives pay; an honorary promotion of an officer.

In the United States army, rank by brevet is conferred, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for "gallant actions or meritorious services." A brevet rank gives no right of command in the particular corps to which the officer brevetted belongs, and can be exercised only by special assignment of the President, or on court martial, and detachments composed of different corps, with pay of the brevet rank when on such duty.

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Bre*vet" (br*vt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brevetted (&?;); p. pr. & vb. n. Brevetting.] (Mil.) To confer rank upon by brevet.

Bre*vet", a. (Mil.) Taking or conferring rank by brevet; as, a brevet colonel; a brevet commission.

Bre*vet"cy (br*vt"s), n.; pl. Brevetcies (- sz). (Mil.) The rank or condition of a brevet officer.

Bre"vi*a*ry (&?;), n.; pl. Breviaries (&?;). [F. bréviarie, L. breviarium summary, abridgment, neut. noun fr. breviarius abridged, fr. brevis short. See Brief, and cf. Brevier.] 1. An abridgment; a compend; an epitome; a brief account or summary.

A book entitled the abridgment or breviary of those roots that are to be cut up or gathered. Holland.