-tenənt noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English lieutenaunt, from Middle French lieutenant, from lieu place + tenant holding, from present participle of tenir to hold, from Latin tenere — more at lieu , thin
1.
a. : an officer representing and exercising powers on behalf of a higher official (as a king) — compare lord lieutenant
b. : a representative of or substitute for another in the performance of duty
c. : assistant 2b
the president's intimate friend and most trusted lieutenant — Harper's
2.
a. : a military officer — see first lieutenant , flight lieutenant , second lieutenant
b. : a naval officer ranking just below a lieutenant commander and above a lieutenant junior grade
c. : a Salvation Army officer — see first lieutenant 2, second lieutenant
d. : a fire or police department officer ranking below a captain
3. : the adult assistant leader of a Girl Guide or Ranger company and formerly of a Girl Scout troop