LIEUTENANT

1. 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 oi the latter. 2. 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, etc. See infra. 3. 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 colonel. An officer of the army whose rank is above that of a major and below that of a colonel. Lieutenant commander. A commissioned officer of the United States navy, whose rank is above that of lieutenant and below that of commander. Lieutenant general. An officer in the army, whose rank is above that of major general and below that of “general of the army.” In the United States, this rank is not permanent, being usually created for special persons or in times of war. Lieutenant governor. In English law. A deputy governor, acting as the chief civil officer of one of several colonies under a governor general. Webster. In American law. An 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 latter’s death, resignation, or disability.