Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for LIEU-TEN'ANT
LIEU-TEN'AN-CYLIEU-TEN'ANT-SHIP
LIEU-TEN'ANT, n. [luten'ant; Fr.; composed of lieu, place, and tenant, L. tenens, holding.]
- An officer who supplies the place of a superior in his absence. Officers of this kind are civil, as the lord-lieutenant of a kingdom or county; or military, as a lieutenant-general, a lieutenant-colonel.
- In military affairs, the second commissioned officer in a company of infantry, cavalry or artillery.
- In ships of war, the officer next in rank to the captain.
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