- lieutenant
- /l(y)uwtenant/leftenant/ A deputy; substitute; an officer who supplies the place of another; one acting by vicarious authority.Etymologically, one who holds the post or office of another, in the place and stead of the latter. The word is used in composition as part of the title of several civil and military officers, who are subordinate to others, and especially where the duties and powers of the higher officer may, in certain contingencies, devolve upon the lower; as lieutenant governor, lieutenant colonel, lieutenant general, lieutenant commander, etc. .In the army, a lieutenant is a commissioned officer, ranking next below a captain.In the United States navy, he is an officer whose rank is intermediate between that of an ensign and that of a lieutenant commander.In the British navy, his rank is next below that of a commander@ lieutenant colonelAn officer of the army whose rank is above that of a major and below that of a colonel@ lieutenant commanderA commissioned officer of the United States navy, whose rank is above that of lieutenant and below that of commander@ lieutenant generalAn officer in the army, whose rank is above that of Major General and below that of a Full General or Four Star General which is below a General of the Army or Five Star General@ lieutenant governorAn elected officer of a state, sometimes charged with special duties, but chiefly important as the deputy or substitute of the governor, acting in the place of the governor upon the letter's death, resignation, or disability@
Black's law dictionary. HENRY CAMPBELL BLACK, M. A.. 1990.