First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
lieutenant
noun lieu·ten·ant \-ˈte-nənt\
: an officer in the army, navy, or air force with a fairly low rank
: an officer in a fire or police department who has a rank below a captain
: an assistant to another, more powerful person : a person who represents and works for someone else
Full Definition of LIEUTENANT
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
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Origin of LIEUTENANT
Middle English, from Anglo-French lieu tenant, from liu + tenant holding, from tenir to hold, from Latin tenēre — more at thin
Related to LIEUTENANT
LIEUTENANT Defined for Kids
lieutenant
noun lieu·ten·ant \lü-ˈte-nənt\
Definition of LIEUTENANT for Kids
1
: an official who acts for a higher official
2
4
: a commissioned officer in the navy or coast guard ranking above a lieutenant junior grade
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