Main Entry: lieu·ten·ant

Pronunciation: \-ˈte-nənt\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French lieu tenant, from liu + tenant holding, from tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre — more at thin

Date: 14th century

1 a : an official empowered to act for a higher official b : an aide or representative of another in the performance of duty : assistant
2 a (1) : first lieutenant (2) : second lieutenant b : a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below a lieutenant commander c : a fire or police department officer ranking below a captain