lieu·ten·ant
lieutenant
- pronunciation:
- lu
te
n
nt
- features:
- Word History, Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
in the U.S. Air Force, Army, or Marine Corps, an officer ranking just below captain; first lieutenant.
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| definition 2: |
in the U.S. Air Force, Army, or Marine Corps, an officer of the lowest commissioned rank; second lieutenant.
|
| definition 3: |
in the U.S., British, or Canadian Navy, an officer ranking just below a lieutenant commander.
|
| definition 4: |
one who holds a subordinate position or who acts on behalf of a superior.
|
| related words: |
deputy, ensign |
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.