noun
- a person who acts for a superior, as during the latter's absence; aide; deputy
- an officer ranking below a captain as in a police or fire department
- U.S. Mil. a title used in addressing a first lieutenant or second lieutenant
- U.S. Navy an officer ranking above a lieutenant junior grade and below a lieutenant commander
Origin:
ME lutenand, luftenand < MFr < lieu (see lieu) + tenant, holding, prp. of tenir, to hold < L tenere, to hold: see thin