[ten.ant] n [ME, fr. MF, fr. prp. of tenir to hold] (14c) 1 a: one who holds or possesses real estate or sometimes personal property (as an annuity) by any kind of right b: one who has the occupation or temporary possession of lands or tenements of another; specif: one who rents or leases (as a house) from a landlord
2: occupant, dweller -- ten.ant.less adj
[2]tenant vt (1634): to hold or occupy as a tenant: inhabit -- ten.ant.able adj