Webster's English Dictionary

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lieutenant

lieu.ten.ant \-'ten-*nt\ n [ME, fr. MF, fr. lieu + tenant holding, fr. 
   tenir to hold, fr]. L tene-re - more at THIN 1a: an officer exercising 
   powers for a higher official  1b: a representative of another in the 
   performance of duty  2a: FIRST LIEUTENANT, SECOND LIEUTENANT  2b: a 
   commissioned officer in the navy ranking above a lieutenant junior gr ade 
   and below a lieutenant commander 2c: a fire or police department officer 
   ranking below a captain