n.
Pronunciation: - ' te-n ə nt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French lieu tenant, from liu + tenant holding, from tenir to hold, from Latin ten ē re ― 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