lieu·ten·ant
 lieutenant
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- pronunciation:
- lu
te
n
nt
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun), Word History, Word Explorer, Word Parts
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
a military officer of a rank just below captain.
The lieutenant reported to the captain. |
| definition 2: |
in the United States, a police officer who supervises other police officers and whose rank is above a sergeant and below a captain.
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| definition 3: |
a person who works under a person of higher rank but may have the authority, at times, to act on that person's behalf, in a similar manner to a deputy.
- similar words:
- deputy
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| related words: |
deputy, ensign |
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Lieutenant entered the English language in 1378. It comes from an early French word meaning "one who holds the place of another." Originally, a lieutenant was someone who could be called on to substitute for the king or officer he served.