I. ˈte-nənt noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of tenir to hold
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : one who holds or possesses real estate or sometimes personal property (as a security) by any kind of right
b. : one who has the occupation or temporary possession of lands or tenements of another ; specifically : one who rents or leases (as a house) from a landlord
2. : occupant , dweller
• ten·ant·less -ləs adjective
II. transitive verb
Date: 1634
: to hold or occupy as or as if as a tenant : inhabit
• ten·ant·able -nən-tə-bəl adjective