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lieutenant

lieutenant

79 6.4
A trusted assistant who helps a leader and acts for them when absent
  • noun
  • /luˈtɛnənt/
  • US
: lugarteniente
  • The lieutenant organized the operations while the captain was away.

To those ends, he asked Marcus Agrippa, his best friend and best Lieutenant, to build a new harbor.

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Examples

  • What's your theory?" Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn didn't answer, having gone soundly to sleep in the recliner.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Rachel's gonna be my lieutenant, and I expect you to listen to her.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • And Agent Smith goes, no Lieutenant, your men are already dead.

  • But, but, but, but take it, Lieutenant, thank you for telling the truth.

  • Nothing here, lieutenant, so now we make the trade.

  • DOCTOR: Lieutenant, this is still a hospital.

  • All right, all right, Lieutenant.

  • Lieutenant, where will I find Detective Cole?

  • I do appreciate the spot you're in, Lieutenant.

  • Detective Foley, I'm Lieutenant Bogomil of the Beverly Hills Police.

Synonyms

deputy
vslieutenant
867 3.4

A person who acts for a leader when they are absent

is empowered to exercise power in the superior's absence
assistant
vslieutenant
  • Specialized
463 2.8

Having a lower job that supports a higher role

is able to exercise authority in the superior's absence
adjoint
vslieutenant
1 9.5

A person who helps and acts for someone in charge

specifically gives formal power to act when the superior is away

Compounds

lieutenant commander
  • Specialized
70 6.9

A Navy or Coast Guard officer who is above lieutenant and below commander

lieutenant colonel
  • Specialized
65 7.0

A senior officer in the army or air force above a major and below a colonel who leads soldiers

lieutenant governor
  • Specialized
43 6.3

An elected official who helps a state's governor and may take their place

lieutenant general
  • Specialized
24 6.6

A high military officer ranking above major general and below general

A junior officer with the lowest rank in the Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps

12 5.3

A military officer who is one rank below a captain

A police officer who is above sergeant and below captain

2 6.5

An officer rank in the US Navy and Coast Guard above ensign and below lieutenant

lieutenant JG
  • Specialized
2 7.8

A junior officer in the US Navy or Coast Guard who is above ensign and below lieutenant

1 5.8

An officer in the Army, Air Force or Marines who ranks above a second lieutenant and below a captain

A junior officer with the lowest rank in the Army, Air Force, or Marines

How Senior

commander
  • Specialized
120 4.2
lieutenant commander
  • Specialized
70 6.9
lieutenant
  • US
79 6.4
lieutenant junior grade
  • Specialized
2 6.5
ensign
  • Specialized
199 8.2

Surface Forms

lieutenant singular
lieutenants plural

Morphology

lieutenant = lieu + tenant (opaque) = lieu + tenant

Derived from the French compound meaning 'place-holder'; this etymological structure is not a transparent guide to the sense 'assistant; deputy' for learners.

Etymology

The word lieutenant comes from the French parts lieu 'place' and tenant 'holding', which pictures a 'place-holder' for a leader. That is why a business or political lieutenant is a trusted deputy who acts with authority when the boss is away.