lieutenancy

Variant of lieutenant

lieutenant definition

lieu·ten·ant (lo̵̅o̅ ten′ənt; Brit & Cdn lef ten′-)

noun

  1. a person who acts for a superior, as during the latter's absence; aide; deputy
  2. an officer ranking below a captain as in a police or fire department
  3. U.S. Mil. a title used in addressing a first lieutenant or second lieutenant
  4. U.S. Navy an officer ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below a lieutenant commander

Etymology: ME lutenand, luftenand < MFr < lieu (see lieu) + tenant, holding, prp. of tenir, to hold < L tenere, to hold: see thin

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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