tenente

lieutenant

noun teh-NEN-teh Rare

Origin: From Latin tenens (holding), present participle of tenere — one who holds rank.

Usage Note

Tenente is a common-gender noun: il tenente / la tenente. Plural: i tenenti. In the Italian military it denotes a first lieutenant. Note that tenente colonnello (lieutenant colonel) is a separate, higher rank. Not to be confused with tenutario (holder of a property).

Examples

"Il tenente ha guidato la pattuglia."

Natural Translation

The lieutenant led the patrol.

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