lugarteniente

lieutenant; deputy

noun loo-gahr-teh-NYEHN-teh Rare

Origin: A compound of lugar (place) + teniente (holder), calqued from French 'lieutenant'.

Usage Note

Lugarteniente literally means 'place-holder' and refers to the person who acts in the name of a superior, equivalent to a deputy or second-in-command. It can be used in military, political, or organizational contexts. The gender follows the person: el/la lugarteniente.

Examples

"El lugarteniente firmó el documento en su ausencia."

Natural Translation

The deputy signed the document in his absence.

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